GMPV
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology

Minerals

Volcanoes and Wines, Part 2

Volcanoes and Wines, Part 2

  And here we go, with the second part of “Volcanoes and Wines”! In Part 1 blog post we introduced you to the inevitably bond between wine and geology, with a focus on volcanic areas and minerals. We are sure we left you with a taste of volcanic soil in your mouth, wondering where you can savour red and white glasses of wine at the foot of a volcano. Today we introduce you to some unusual and ...[Read More]

Rare Earth Elements…..in olivine?

Rare Earth Elements…..in olivine?

The Rare Earth Elements, or REEs, are really important. This is a group of elements including neodymium (used to create strong magnets), cerium (used in catalytic converters), lanthanum (used in electric car batteries), lutetium (used in oil refinery), with the uses of REEs increasing continuously. At the moment, the majority of the world’s supply of REEs comes from a single deposit in Inner ...[Read More]

The *real* mineral cup: wavellite vs. kernowite / devon versus cornwall

The *real* mineral cup: wavellite vs. kernowite / devon versus cornwall

Kernowite: In November 2020, approximately two major world events occurred. Firstly, Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his dog Major were elected as the 46th president and president’s dog of the United States of America. Secondly, the International Mineralogical Association approved a new mineral, kernowite, Cu2Fe3+(AsO4)(OH)4⋅4H2O, which was described by M. Rumsey from the Natural History Museum in L ...[Read More]