Louisiana rocks and minerals
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Transcript of Louisiana rocks and minerals
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.