Geologists' Field Gear
When geologists are sampling and prospecting they rely on tools to help them. Tools help either observe, measure or record.
- Geopick breaks rocks to reveal fresh surfaces for easy observation of minerals. -Lupe for a magnifying view of minerals -Scribe to test mineral hardness, which helps identify the mineral type. -GPS indicates and records locations of samples or observations. -Compass indicates direction and inclination of selected features. -A magnetic susceptibility meter may be carried to measure the magnetic properties of rocks. A notebook will be carried to record observations and measurement and help piece everything together back in the office. Recently smartphones and tablets allow in-the-field capture into GIS of location, direction/inclination and photos, simplifying the process significantly. Field observations will ideally be used to evaluate an area's prospectivity in terms of the deposit model being applied. In reality, many of the geologists in the field supervising sampling activities will be junior and lack the experience to make skilled conclusions from what they see. More senior geologists will have moved into management positions that don't allow for field time. This often leaves the role of experienced field geologist to an external consultant on short term contract. It is a common Industry lament that field geology skills are dying out. |
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