GEOLOGY FIELD EXERCISE OF LAST YEAR AT EDO STATE

I will be sharing my experience base on my field as a geology student of the University of Benin I went to last session 2017 which last for 10 days.
Knowledge you all know is wealth and wealth is power.
For you to understand what i'm talking about, you need to understand what is the meaning of Geology and what geology is all about which is applicable in all areas of our lives.

*WHAT IS GEOLOGY *
Geology is the scientific study of earth’s processes and materials. It is an aspect of science that study’s solid earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change. Also gives insight into the history of the earth.
We all know the earth is rich in minerals when are referring to geology we are referring to minerals, rocks, the chemical composition of those minerals.
A rock is an aggregate of minerals

Introduction to the Field
Introduction to Field Geology involves the description and identification of rocks; it is an avenue to buttress the theoretical class work with practical. Here, we the students are allowed to observe rocks, to observe its grain size, its mineral content, its texture, etc. and the features of the rock as explained by the lecturers in the classroom that is the essence of the field work.
Geology is what we practice everyday without most people knowing, is a practical course so I will be sharing my knowledge to everyone here.

SCOPE OF THE EXERCISE
The field work encompasses identification of rocks by their texture, mineral grain sizes, colour, and luster, crystalline and non-crystalline.
The duration of the field work was one week, during which various rocks from sedimentary to metamorphic to igneous were seen.
Some structures of rocks, fossils, were observed on rock.

GEOLOGIC FIELD EQUIPMENTS USED

G.P.S:– meaning Global positioning system is used to measure the location of every exposure on the earth surface that is, it measures the longitudinal and latitudinal locations of the outcrop and also measures the elevation of the outcrops above sea level

COMPASS/CLINOMETERS: – It is very important in measuring altitudes and angular bearings. It also helps in finding locations.

GEOLOGIC HAMMERS (SMALL AND SLEDGE): - they are used to have clearer view of a rock’s mineralogical content by breaking rocks into smaller fractions. It is used breaking off the rock’s weathered surface to have a better
Field Bag: - a leather bag in which rock samples collected from various outcrops are kept.

Measuring Tap – used for measuring the thickness of beds.

Face Cap/Helmet – used to protect the head and face of geologists from the rays of the sun.

Camera – used to take photographic view of rock exposures, sample of rock and special features present in the rocks.

Field boots: The boots used in the field must be of thick sole and sharp teeth to ensure a firm grip. It is used for walking through vegetations and climbing geologic outcrop. The picture below shows a pair of field boots.

NOTE
We all need the idea of geology irrespective of our field because is applicable in all areas of our lives and enlighten us about earth materials and give us insight of the earth interior and it origin.
I will be sharing the minerals we came across in EDO State and the actual location and every information that was gotten during our field work for the day to the last day for you to have a basic understanding of the minerals found in EDO state and their mineralogy.