The rock exhibition we present in the botanical garden provides insight into some of the rocks and minerals we can find here in Agder.
About the exhibition
The exhibition consists of various specimens of local rocks. Many of them have been cut and polished to make it easier to see the internal structure of the rocks. Each stone in the garden has a label. On the label, you will find information about what type of rock it is, the minerals it consists of, its genetic origin, and where it was found. Some 'fun facts' are also presented.
If you are unable to visit the garden, or can not read the Norwegian signs in the garden, you can view and read about the rocks on this page.
Geology
The science of Earth's structure
The science of Earth's structure involves understanding the processes that occur in the Earth's interior and on its surface, as well as identifying the minerals and rocks that comprise it.
Rocks are the building blocks of Earth, commonly referred to as "stones" in everyday language. Rocks are composed of minerals.
By collecting and researching rocks and minerals, one can find answers to many important questions:
- Why do volcanoes erupt?
- What causes earthquakes?
- How are mountain ranges formed?
- Where can one find the minerals used in daily life?
This type of research and collection is conducted at natural history museums and universities.
Rocks can be divided into three main groups by the way they are formed
- Magmatic rocks – that solidify from a melt
- Sedimentary rocks – which form when pre-existing rocks are broken down into particles of clay, silt, sand, or gravel, and then transported, deposited, and solidified
- Metamorphic rocks – that have endured high temperatures and high pressures, so they are recrystallized into other rock types
Minerals, which build the rocks, are chemical compounds formed by geological processes. They have a specific crystal structure and a well-defined chemical composition.
Some of the most common minerals are quartz and feldspar. Gold, silver, and diamond are also minerals.
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