| Calcite is one of the most abundant natural minerals. It is found in very different shapes, both compact as limestone as well as sinter in caves and in the crystalline state. But even in our daily life calcite is always present: in some regions it blockes water pipes as "chalk", we build our houses ... moreCalcite is one of the most abundant natural minerals. It is found in very different shapes, both compact as limestone as well as sinter in caves and in the crystalline state. But even in our daily life calcite is always present: in some regions it blockes water pipes as "chalk", we build our houses with it, it is in our food chain and without it we could not stand upright. Calcite is not rare, but the varied mineral on Earth. The variety of forms and variations of the forms of calcite are unmatched in the world of mineralogy. By 2009, more than 800 Calcit forms have been described. |
| Der Odenwald gehört zu den Varisciden – ein Gebirge welches bei der Kollision der Paläo-Kontinente Gondwana und Euramerika im mittleren Karbon, vor etwa 360-290 Mio. Jahren entstand. Im Zuge der variszischen Orogenese bildeten sich neben dem Odenwald unter anderem das Rheinische Schiefergebirge, Har ... moreDer Odenwald gehört zu den Varisciden – ein Gebirge welches bei der Kollision der Paläo-Kontinente Gondwana und Euramerika im mittleren Karbon, vor etwa 360-290 Mio. Jahren entstand. Im Zuge der variszischen Orogenese bildeten sich neben dem Odenwald unter anderem das Rheinische Schiefergebirge, Harz, Schwarzwald, Erzgebirge und der Spessart. Diese Aufbrüche des Grundgebirges sind Teil der sogenannten Mitteldeutschen Kristallinschwelle – eine Reihe von mehr oder weniger isolierten Kristallingebieten - die von der Haardt im Pfälzerwald über den kristallinen Odenwald und Spessart, das Ruhlaer Kristallin und Kyffhäuser bis nach Osteuropa verlaufen. |
| Do you know El Tio, the ruler of the underworld? In January 2012 Stefan Schorn, administrator of mineralienatlas.de, had the chance to visit the Bolivian San José Mine. In his article he tells us about the history of the mine and shows us with over 60 pictures this adventuresome trip inside the mine ... moreDo you know El Tio, the ruler of the underworld? In January 2012 Stefan Schorn, administrator of mineralienatlas.de, had the chance to visit the Bolivian San José Mine. In his article he tells us about the history of the mine and shows us with over 60 pictures this adventuresome trip inside the mine. (Article in German) |
| From early tunnel construction in the 18th century to its final closure in the 1950s, the Frankenholz Mine in Germany’s Saar region was a key site of coal mining history. With ambitious shaft projects, its own cableway connection to Bexbach, and remarkable geological features – including fossil disc ... moreFrom early tunnel construction in the 18th century to its final closure in the 1950s, the Frankenholz Mine in Germany’s Saar region was a key site of coal mining history. With ambitious shaft projects, its own cableway connection to Bexbach, and remarkable geological features – including fossil discoveries and natural oil seepages – the mine reflects both the rise of industrial progress and the dangers of underground work. Gas explosions, water ingress, and tragic accidents shaped the lives of thousands of miners. Frankenholz remains a compelling reminder of a bygone mining era. |
| ... Am Ende der Braunkohlenzeit, im Pliozän, überwand der junge Rhein, aus der Mainzer Gegend kommend, zum ersten Mal das Rheinische Schiefergebirge. Mit dem Ausklingen der Braunkohlezeit schwand auch im nördlichen Rheinland das subtropische Klima. Zu dieser Zeit suchte der Rhein mit der Ur-Maas den ... more... Am Ende der Braunkohlenzeit, im Pliozän, überwand der junge Rhein, aus der Mainzer Gegend kommend, zum ersten Mal das Rheinische Schiefergebirge. Mit dem Ausklingen der Braunkohlezeit schwand auch im nördlichen Rheinland das subtropische Klima. Zu dieser Zeit suchte der Rhein mit der Ur-Maas den Weg zum Meer und lagerte die ältesten Diluvialschotter in Form von wasserhellen und milchigen Quarzen sowie anderen Kieselgesteinen ab. ... Ein Beitrag von Günter E. |
| Iin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar met ... moreIin 1546 Georgius Agricola reported about a white metal which is fused to the Rammelsberg lead and silver melter and that you could scrape off. He called this metal "contrefey", because it could imitate gold. Agricola did not recognize that this metal was zinc. He further observed that a similar metal, which he named from some unknown reasons "ZINCUM" arose under similar circumstances in Silesia during smelting. |