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Family Rock Study – Looking for Mica

Mica has been our rock seeking list for the past two years. Remember when I was trying to find, collect, and journal about all the rocks in the book Rocks, Fossils & Arrowheads ?

This was part of my Nature Study Goals in 2013.

Rock study book journal list

I wasn’t completely successful in 2013 and now in 2014 I finally pushed us to get out and find some mica close to home. It is actually muscovite which is abundant in California and in the county where I live. I can’t believe how much time I have spent looking into this rock. I am just not a confident rockhound.

Here is a glimpse into our mica rock study.

mica

So some sources said we have muscovite mica and some say mica schist. I am not completely sure what the difference is between the two (if any). I will just call it mica.

winter cattails

We visited our cattail site and took a look at the changes to the plants during the past few months.  You may wish to start or continue your own year-long cattail study. Make sure to mark your weekly planner for a date coming up soon.

bracket fungi 1

We were able to spy some cool bracket fungi.. a little late for our official bracket fungi study but still so very interesting.

bracket fungi 2

There was water collected in the top that was shaped like a cup.

Well, that was our mica rock walk and study. I am still trying to come up with a better way to identify rocks without taking hours and hours. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

Just a note to all my faithful readers.

I will be sharing how my Nature Study Goals for 2014 turned out and posting my 2015 goals soon. Look for a printable for your to use to record you nature study goals here on the blog soon.

4 thoughts on “Family Rock Study – Looking for Mica

  1. Hi…thank you for all of your posts!!! Maybe a walk with a park ranger that specializes in geology!!! I know that I’ve always searched for a ranger in a specified field to assist in the studies! 🙂

    1. That’s a great idea!

  2. If I had to guess, I would say your specimen is schist (I am by no means an expert). When I think of mica, I think of thin sheets laminated together, but all the same material/mineral. I think schist has mica in it (the shiny part), but it can also have feldspar and quartz. It is a metamorphic rock and contains more than one mineral.

    I find rocks absolutely fascinating, but I wish I had an expert on hand to tell me what I am actually seeing. I can make a guess (after tons of research), but I am never sure if I am correct.

    The fungi pics are great!

    Sarah

    1. My research called it mica schist so that sounds like a good fit. It was found near an old gold mine so there is quartz all around. Thanks for the tips.

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