In this activity, students assume the role of a geologist prospecting for copper deposits. From the background material, they will learn what ore deposits are and some important factors in their origin; and learn about a...

This lesson discusses the question 'What is a mineral?' in the context of the guessing game 'Animal, Vegetable, or Mineral?'. It introduces a definition of the term, discusses the criteria used in the definition, and...

This website provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the basics of optical mineralogy. Topics include the polarized light microscope, mineral shape and cleavage, relief, color and pleochroism, interference colors,...

Details the issues, hazards, and remediation techniques associated with abandoned mines and resource producing properties of the past on national park land. Abandoned mineral lands, commonly known as AML, are one of many...

This American Mineralogist scholarly paper (PDF format) reports the detection of living colonies of nano-organisms (nanobes) on Triassic and Jurassic sandstones and other substrates. Dr. Philippa Uwins and her research...