LOUISIANA Rocks and MineralsRebecca Tedford and Dr. Sophie Warny

The Mission of theThe Mission of theLSU Museum of Natural ScienceLSU Museum of Natural Science

Acquisition,Acquisition, Preservation, andPreservation, and StudyStudy

of research collections to generate knowledge of:of research collections to generate knowledge of:

Regional and global biodiversity,Regional and global biodiversity, Geological history, andGeological history, and Human history and prehistoryHuman history and prehistory

for the benefit of the people of the state, the nation, and the world.for the benefit of the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Divisions of the LSU MNSDivisions of the LSU MNS

7 main fields of RESEARCH7 main fields of RESEARCH Ornithology (Birds)Ornithology (Birds) GeneticsGenetics Ichthyology (Fishes)Ichthyology (Fishes) MammalogyMammalogy Herpetology (Reptiles and Amphibians)Herpetology (Reptiles and Amphibians) PaleontologyPaleontology Anthropology (Archaeology and Ethnography)Anthropology (Archaeology and Ethnography)

EDUCATIONEDUCATION

1.1.THE PALEONTOLOGY THE PALEONTOLOGY COLLECTIONSCOLLECTIONS

What is palynology?What is palynology?Palynomorphs =

- both plant and animal structures

- microscopic in size (from about 5 µm to about 500 µm)

- made of compounds that are highly resistant to decay

- abundant in most sediments and sedimentary rocks

- can be extracted by chemical processing (acids digestion & sieving)

Spores Pollen grains Dinoflagellate cysts Acritarchs Leiospheres

Invertebrate Paleontology: PalynologyInvertebrate Paleontology: PalynologyDr. Sophie Warny

Collections:

- Over 17,000 specimens from over 1000 localities with emphasis on Louisiana. 

Research statement: Dr. Schiebout's focus is on: Paleoecology

Biostratigraphy and paleogeography of southern North America and China in the Tertiary

Early and middle Tertiary mammals

The Cretaceous-Tertiary and Paleocene-Eocene transition

Louisiana fossil vertebrates, particularly in the Miocene

Vertebrate PaleontologyVertebrate Paleontology

Dr. Judith Schiebout

•Large collection of Tertiary fossils including this whale:Vertebrae and ribs of the Eocene whale Basilosaurus at Montgomery Landing, Louisiana.

•Large collection of middle Tertiary mammals from the Fort Polk region

•Large collection of Tertiary mammals from Tunica Hills, such as early elephant, rhino, hedgehog and camel relatives.

2. 2. Associated Collections: Minerology And Associated Collections: Minerology And Petrology and Louisiana Geological SurveyPetrology and Louisiana Geological Survey

On-line resources

Mineral and rock collections

Rock and Mineral Collections located in

Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex

Available upon request:

• LSU Geology Loan trunk

Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS)

on-line resources

Down-loadableStratigraphic and

Geologic maps

3. FIELD TRIP: PRACTICAL DETAILS3. FIELD TRIP: PRACTICAL DETAILS

General Info& Tours

Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

FREE!

SchedulingMaterials

RulesParking

5. BACKGROUND AND5. BACKGROUND ANDHANDS-ON ACTIVITIESHANDS-ON ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES:

1. Making a Geologic Map of

Louisiana

2. SOAR Activities

• Rocking Out

• Sand Secrets

3. Mining for MMM…

Minerals

4. Investigating the Layer-

cake earth

What is Geology?

Study of the origin, history, and stucture of the Earth as recorded in the rock record.

The Earth is composed of different types of rocks and minerals.

Geology: The Basics

Geologists are the scientists who study these rocks and minerals.

• Naturally occurring

-man-made substances would not be considered a mineral

• Inorganic solid

- Inorganic substances are those that are not living or formed by living processes

• Specific chemical composition

• Unique crystal structure and properties

-Atoms are arranged in a orderly, repeated pattern

-Physical properties include color, luster, streak, cleavage, etc.

MINERALS

Rocks- An aggregate solid of one of more minerals in different proportions.

Chocolate chip cookie analogyChocolate chip cookie analogy

Cookie = rock

Ingredients = minerals

Oven= Earth’s heat

Rocks

Rocks are divided into three different types based on how they are formed:

Igneous, Metamorphic, and SedimentaryIgneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary

IgneousThe word, igneous means from fire or heat. Igneous rocks form when molten lava (magma) cools and turns to solid rock. There are two types-

Intrusive- cools slowly inside the Earth (Examples= Granite). They have large mineral grains

Extrusive- Magma that reaches the earth’s surface and cools relatively quickly. (Examples- Basalt, obsidian, pumice). The mineral grains are small.

Note: MAGMA- inside the Earth, LAVA- outside of the Earth

MetamorphicThese are rocks that have changed (Examples- marble, schist)

From the Greek words “meta” and “morph” which means to change form. They were originally sedimentary or igneous rocks that changed due to heat and pressure often from eh movement of the Earth’s crust.

SedimentaryRocks composed of grains of clay, mud, sand, and dirt. (Examples- sandstone, limestone)

These form when sediments are weathered and deposited as layers into streams, oceans, rivers, and lake. After thousands and millions of years the weight and pressure of all these sediments eventually turn them into sedimentary rocks!

Activity 1: Making a Geologic map of LouisianaActivity 1: Making a Geologic map of Louisiana**

GEOLOGIC MAPS

Definition: Map designed to show the distribution of geologic features such as different rock types and faults in the area.

• Only show geologic units that are exposed on the surface

• Different colors symbolize a different geologic unit

* This activity can be used in conjuction with the Fossil gravel activity

Generalized Surface Geology of LouisianaGeneralized Surface Geology of Louisianahttp://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/uploads/gengeotext.pdf

Holocene AlluviumHolocene Alluvium (= youngest rocks) (= youngest rocks)

These are the abundant sand and clay riverine deposits deposited by the Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and other rivers within coastal environments. These represent over 50% of surface exposed rocks.

Pleistocene terracesPleistocene terraces

These deposits consist of sand, gravel, and mud that are remnants of preexisting riverine flood plains. They are found near modern rivers and coastal plains. ~25% of surface exposed rocks.

Tertiary rocks Tertiary rocks (= oldest rocks)(= oldest rocks)

These are associated with rver flood plains, coastal plains, and shallow sea environments that occurred due to fluctuating sea levels. Oldest rocks are Late Cretaceous marine rocks (70-82 million years old) outcrop in Bienville parish. These are highly fossiliferous marls and chalks.