| Aragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficul ... moreAragonite is a calcium carbonate, chemically identical with calcite. The mineral calcite, however, differs from Aragonite due to its internal crystal structure. While the crystal system of calcite is trigonal, the system of aragonite is rhombic. Dense masses of small aragonite crystals are difficult to distinguish from calcite, but they are larger, they show a distinct habit. A lot of chapters in this portrait will give you much more details about this interesting mineral. Written and investigated by Peter Seroka. (Article in german) |
| Es wird auf die so genannte Feuersteinlinie, ihre Bedeutung, Erforschung, Popularisierung und Markierung hingewiesen. Vier Markierungssteine an der Feuersteinlinie am Harznordrand und zwei große nordische Findlinge im Harzvorland werden vorgestellt. Anhand aktueller Funde von Kleingeschieben wird ve ... moreEs wird auf die so genannte Feuersteinlinie, ihre Bedeutung, Erforschung, Popularisierung und Markierung hingewiesen. Vier Markierungssteine an der Feuersteinlinie am Harznordrand und zwei große nordische Findlinge im Harzvorland werden vorgestellt. Anhand aktueller Funde von Kleingeschieben wird versucht, die maximalen Höhenlagen und damit die hiesige südliche Grenze des nordischen Inlandeises an den Vorbergen des Harzes, in der „Klassischen Quadratmeile der Geologie“, zu rekonstruieren. |
| 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. |
| 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. |