I study in the technique of mineral technology. In my third years I want to go in geology. I choose this occupation because my boyfriend first did this. He informs me about all this industry, so I was very interested by the job and the lifestyle it gives me. I am interested more specifically to do the mining exploration. The glossary is about the type of rock I have found this summer, some words that gives their physical description and some terms that are used in Geology.
aphanetic
noun
Of or relating to an igneous rock in which the crystals are so fine that individual minerals cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. Aphanitic rocks are extrusive rocks that cooled so quickly that crystal growth was inhibited. Compare phaneritic.
Example: A volcanic rock is aphanetic because we can't see the crystals.
en: aphanétique
Biotite
noun
A black, dark brown, or greenish black variety of mica, occurring in many igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Example: The biotite is not a good sign of the presence of lithium.
en: Biotite
dikes
noun
A dike or dyke, in geological usage, is a sheet of rock that is formed in a fracture of a pre-existing rock body.
Example: A dyke can be formed by a metamorphic rock.
en: dykes
drilling
noun
The action of making a hole in something by boring with a drill.
Example: One of the steps in exploration are the drilling.
en: Forage
feldspar
noun
Feldspars are a group of rock-forming aluminium tectosilicate minerals, containing also other cations such as sodium, calcium, potassium, or barium.
Example: The white feldspar is better for the presence of lithium.
en: Feldspath
garnet
noun
A precious stone consisting of a deep red vitreous silicate mineral.
Example: I have found some garnet crystal, but they don't have a good value.
en: Grenat
geochemistry
noun
The study of the chemical composition of the earth and its rocks and minerals.
Example: We used geochemistry to identify the composition of the rock.
en: géochimie
Geology
noun
The science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is undergoing.
Example: I study in Geology to learn the history of the earth through the rocks.
en: Géologie
geophysical
adjective
Relating to the physics of the earth.
Example: We used geophysical to find anomaly in the soil.
en: géophysique
Granite
noun
A very hard, granular, crystalline, igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, mica, and feldspar and often used as a building stone.
Example: The granite rock is not very interested to observe for the lithium.
en: Granite
Lithium
noun
A chemical element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used especially in alloys and glass, in mechanical lubricants, and in storage batteries.
Example: We didn't find Lithium this summer, but we do have found good values with the XRF.
en: Lithium
metamorphic rock
noun + adjective
Metamorphic rocks started out as some other type of rock, but have been substantially changed from their original igneous, sedimentary, or earlier metamorphic form.
Example: The metamorphic rock are present in California.
en: roche métamorphique
Muscovite
noun
A colorless to pale brown form of mica consisting of a silicate of aluminum and potassium.
Example: I found a huge green size of Muscovite this summer.
en: Muscovite
Outcrop
noun
A rock formation that is visible on the surface.
Example: The outcrop is more located on top of the mountain.
en: Affleurement
Pegmatite
noun
A coarsely crystalline granite or other igneous rock with crystals several centimeters to several meters in length.
Example: The pegmatite is my favorite rock. Their crystals are huge.
en: Pegmatite
prospecting
verb
Search for mineral deposits in a place, especially by means of experimental drilling and excavation.
Example: This summer I have been prospecting in the area of Rouyn-noranda.
en: prospection
sedimentary rock
noun + adjective
Sedimentary rocks are formed from pre-existing rocks or pieces of once-living organisms. They form from deposits that accumulate on the Earth's surface. Sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layering or bedding.
Example: The sedimentary rock in the Grand Canyon is very impressive.
en: roche sédimentaire
Spodumene
noun
A translucent, typically grayish-white aluminosilicate mineral which is an important source of lithium.
Example: The spodumene is related to the lithium.
en: Spodumène
Tourmaline
noun
A typically black or blackish mineral that occurs as prismatic crystals in granitic and other rocks. It consists of a boron aluminosilicate and has pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties.
Example: I have found a tourmaline crystal of centimeter seize.
en: Tourmaline
XRF analyzer
noun
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials.
Example: We used the XRF analyzer to define each sample and maybe find an area with some potential of lithium.