News

by: Jason Cole

by: Bob Linnen

Introduction

Brazil produces the greatest variety of gems and semi-precious stones in the world, including diamonds, emeralds and amethyst. Mining is very much a part of the Brazilian culture and prospecting is a way of life for many people. If a mineral deposit is found in an area where no exploration license has been granted then prospectors, called garimpeiros, can mine the area using manual tools to extract the minerals. Of course many of the mines in Brazil are modern operations, owned by mining companies, similar to Canada.

by: Peter Russell

In the last issue of Wat on Earth we covered various aspects of tantalum, an important mineral for electronics and other uses for the 21st century. On a recent visit to the quarries owned by AquaRose, the owners were busy with a variety of projects including accessing the potential for a possible tantalum mine. The Rose Quartz deposit is also starting to yield carving and gem quality material.

by: Mario Coniglio

Washington Geology, Volume 28, No. 3. May 2001.

by: Wendy Gerstel

Washington Geology, Volume 28, No. 3. May 2001.

by: Sherry L. Weisgarber

We think rocks last forever. The boulder we played on in our parents' front yard when we were children is still there for our grandchildren to enjoy. The rock steps to the church are still in use a hundred years later, and the gravestones in the cemetery still mark where our ancestors were laid to rest. These rocks, to us, have lasted forever. But, if you look closely, change is taking place.

by: Alan Morgan, Jose Melo, Peter Russell

On December 1st, 2001, a monolith of gneiss was installed in the foundation of the Center for Environmental and Information Technology on the University of Waterloo campus.   

Quaternary Sciences Institute - University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 361

by: Alan Morgan

Introduction

In October 2001 I had the opportunity of attending the Ontario Association of Geographic and Environment Education Conference at Niagara Falls. As a Quaternary geologist I was particularly interested in attending a session by Paul Hackl and Ling Wong of Riverdale Collegiate Institute, Toronto, with the fascinating title of "Rockwood Conservation Area Field Trip: A Search for Pattern and Process in Landscape".