Real Talk!

The science of geology goes way beyond rocks and minerals. Geology is the study of planet Earth- it encompasses theories of the whole how/what/where/when of our planet was formed and continues to be shaped.

Scientists have identified three layers that comprise the planet Earth: the crust, the mantle and the core. The crust is a hard layer of rock that’s about 50 kms thick and includes the land masses that we live on, as well as the lining of the ocean floor. The Earth’s mantle is a semi-molten layer, about 3, 000 kms thick, and rich with the elements magnesium, silicon and iron. The core is believed to be hot, molten liquid nickel and iron.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some scientists believed that the continents were floating. Observing remarkable similarities in the shapes of coastlines, fossil discoveries and mountain ranges on opposite sides of the ocean, it was easy to image that the planet had once been one large mass that slowly broke apart. The emerging theory was known as continental drift.

In the 1940s, geologists realized that it wasn’t so much the continents as it was the Earth’s crust that was cracked into pieces that were floating on the mantle part of the earth. Ontario, a part of the crust, has been described as a “huge raft” of rock that floats on the surface of our planet. Geologists refer to this raft as a plate and have come to understand the changing crust through a theory known as plate tectonics.

It is believed that there about 10 major plates and numerous smaller plates that make up the Earth’s crust. Ontario sits in the center of the enormous North American plate.

Today, there’s a growing theory that the continents do collide and then drift apart over millions of years, in an ever-repeating pattern. Geologists have learned to read the history of a continent and can identify the very location of its most recent beginning- they call this the craton. Right now, the biggest craton in the world is the Canadian Shield.

Geologists have divided the Canadian Shield into seven geological areas that they call provinces: Bear, Churchill, Grenville, Nain, Slave, Southern, and Superior. The Canadian Shield forms the core of North America and occupies almost half of Canada's surface- and half of the Canadian Shield lies in Ontario. Ontario’s Highlands region is located in the Grenville province.

The Grenville area has been subject to numerous geological processes, including volcanic activity, glacial scouring, metamorphic activity and intense faulting and folding. Here, you see the remnants of a very ancient mountain range whose scale once rivaled the Himalayas. There were once active volcanoes and the first discovery of gold in Ontario was in this area, too. Historically, there have been countless mining operations throughout the region which have harvested all kinds of minerals including: talc, mica, quartz, corundum, marble, uranium and sodalite.

Quite an exotic playground for the amateur geologist!

Recreational geology applies to endless different activities, all of which provide a great excuse for spending time outdoors! Some activities include exploring caves, climbing, collecting fossils or gems, carving stone, prospecting, panning for gold, sightseeing & photographing and studying our mining heritage and/or geological history.

Collecting interesting rocks and minerals is a popular hobby known as rockhounding. Some rockhounds specialize in certain types of rock, minerals, gems, meteorites or fulgurites (stones that form when lightning strikes the ground). Some of us are not as discerning.

I have been attracted to rocks as long as I can remember. As I child I was constantly picking up interesting rocks and making interesting designs in the sand or tucking them into a pocket. I have amassed a substantial collection of rocks that had to come home with me. I’ve moved them countless times. & my collection continues to grow.

I don't recall a whole lot of geology being taught early in school. The little I recall comes from high school science classes that touched on the three types of rock (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary) and some stuff about the Canadian Shield. Fortunately, I had a neighbor studying geology in university and he introduced me to some wonderful fossil specimens that he’d found on digs. They were a whole lot more interesting than overhead projections of basic geologic time scales.

When I moved to Bancroft (The Mineral Capital of Canada) in the early 90’s, I was introduced to serious rockhounding by some friends. After one short field expedition, I was hooked.

I’d had a wonderfully worn leather duffle bag that I’d held onto for years and it had been crying out for a purpose- it was perfect for my kit. Roughly, the contents include: A rock pick/hammer, a pry bar, some chisels, safety glasses, a compass, a hand lens, a couple of field guides for mineral identification, bug dope, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, a small first aid kit, plastic baggies of various size, a water bottle, some granola bars, a small collection of maps and the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce mineral collecting guide books.

Since that first trip, I’ve learned so much and I’ve come to understand collecting as a privilege. There are governing rules to which the amateur collector must adhere. Hobby mineral collecting means that you collect for personal pleasure and you collect for your own personal collection or to swap with other people who have collections.

Basically, if you don’t plan to sell the stuff that you dig out with your hand tools and carry home; you qualify as a hobby collector.

The Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CCFMS) has adopted the following Code of Ethics for its members and I think it’s something that all rockhounds should follow:

Code of Ethics for Rockhounds
1. I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without the owner's permission.
2. I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands and will observe them.
3. I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
4. I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
5. I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings etc.
6. I will leave all gates as found.
7. I will build fires in designated or safe places only, and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
8. I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
9. I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock. I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supply.
10. I will cause no willful damage to collecting material, and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
11. I will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
12. I will co-operate with field trip leaders, and those designated in authority in all collecting areas.
13. I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, or other proper authorities, any deposit of material on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes.
14. I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
15. I will observe the "Golden Rule" and will use "Good Outdoor Manners" and will at, all times, conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and "Public Image" of rockhounds everywhere.