October 2022 Program Information
October 2022 Program
For our main program - Thomas Hale of the Friends of Mineralogy of VA presented information about this group and the new book that was just published.
{The Virginia Mineral Project is no longer a separate entity. The FMVA chapter now is the official VA group with outreach, education, publications and information.} The book is titled NOVA Trap Rock Quarries. The book is 6" x 9", 144 pgs, and costs $35. If you'd like to order a copy (+postage) you may email FMVAPublications@gmail.com. Mike Pabst has also ordered a quantity for the club, and will have them available in the next couple of weeks. I'll let you know when.
Book summary: Virginia has a rich mineral heritage. The Northern Virginia trap rock quarries were a source of world-class apophyllite, prehnite, and stilbite specimens which still rival the newer trap rock deposits in India. The quarries are also the source of a long list of high-quality miniature and micro-mount mineral specimens, including two type-locality minerals, goosecreekite and loudounite, first discovered and identified in Virginia.This is the first publication with color photographs of VA minerals. The last book published about VA minerals was in 1990.
In addition to its rich mineral diversity, hosting 87 different mineral species, the Northern Virginia trap rock quarries are critical to the economy of Virginia. (VA has around 430 mineral species that have been documented!) 12 quarries are highlighted. These few trap rock quarries have provided aggregate materials supporting Northern Virginia's transportation and construction sector for decades. This publication combines a detailed review of the region's mineralogical and geological heritage, including a deep dive into the aggregate industry and its importance in society. Through this industry and mineralogy approach, the publication will be immensely useful for teachers, tourists, collectors, and nature enthusiasts wanting to learn more about Virginia's mineralogical history. Biographies of some of the most important people involved in mineral collecting in the trap rock quarries and Virginia's mineral history are presented along with many of their collecting stories, which are published here for the first time.
Plans for second publication: The publication committee met early in August to discuss next steps after the July book launch. During 2023, we will reach out to as many collectors, museums, teachers, industry partners, and key stakeholders to ensure our next publication provides a holistic review of mineral resources in the Piedmont. Our goal for the next publication is summer of 2024. As before, we will have a central educational theme, and this will cover critical minerals and the role of materials in society. Our primary interest right now is developing a book on the Piedmont province, which is rich in economic mineral deposits essential to our industry. The region is still full of aggregate operations, old mine sites, and even a few of the remaining mineral operations in Virginia. Be prepared for us to cover significant locations such as the Amelia Pegmatite District, the Virginia Pyrite-Gold Belt, the Austinville Lead-Zinc District, the American Rutile quarry and other major topics of interest including amethyst deposits of the Piedmont, current aggregate operations, and the kyanite mining district.
Info about what the Friends of Mineralogy is and does: You may go to https://friendsofmineralogyvirginia.org/ to learn more.
- The group has published a user-friendly guide to shows, publications, shops, museums, and databases called Virginia Mineral Directory 2022. (a new one will be out in 2023).
- Thomas Hale is teaching an online course called Rockhounding 101, which will be finishing up soon. A Rockhounding 102 course will be available soon. Check the website for more information and how to sign up. There is a fee to take the class.
- There is also a monthly speaker presentation via ZOOM about many aspects of minerals, mining and education. The presentations are put on YouTube a couple of weeks after being presented. Go to YouTube and search Friends of Mineralogy Virginia Chapter and choose a video.
- They also have done a mineral directory for teachers to use in the classroom
- They help host Rockin' PD field trip events for earth science teachers
- The VA chapter is part of the National Friends of Mineralogy Society
EDUCATION, SAFETY, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESERVATION are the main goals of the society.
