Top 5 tools of a field geologist |Geologypage

5 Essential Tools of a Field Geologist

Hand lens

Geologists working in the field, lab, or office often need to closely examine rocks, sediments, soils, sand, minerals, and other materials with tiny features. A hand lens provides a quick and easy way to perform that work. It is important for them to examine the rock closely to identify minerals, see the size and shape of grains, look for small fossils or crystals, confirm the results of a hardness test, and much more. Many field geologists use a hand lens so frequently that they wear it on a lanyard or cord around their neck. This hand lens is a 10x pocket magnifying glass with a durable metal case. When not in use, the lens folds into a protected position. This protects the lens from breakage and scratches.

Geological hammer

     Pointed-Tip Rock Hammers - Rock Pick

The pointed-tip rock hammer is used mainly by geologists who are working in areas underlain by igneous and metamorphic rocks. Names given to this hammer include: pick hammer, rock picks, prospector's hammer, hard-rock hammer and pointed-tip hammer. The flat end  of this tool is used for breaking rocks and light chisel work.The pointed end is used for prying rocks and prospecting in soil and loose rock debris. Always wear eye protection when using a rock hammer. 

Chisel-Tip Rock Hammers

The chisel-tip rock hammer has hammer head on one end and a slightly curved chisel-shaped blade on the other. It is used mainly by geologists who are working in areas underlain by sedimentary rocks and sediments. The flat end of this hammer is used for breaking rocks and light chisel work. The chisel end is used for splitting the layers of sedimentary rocks, trimming rocks, and digging in soils and sediments. These hammers are used by geologists, fossil hunters, and a number of professions who break sedimentary rocks or masonry materials.

    Crack Hammers - Hand Sledges

A crack hammer is a heavy hammer that is used for breaking rocks and chisel work. Some people call them sledge hammers or hand sledges. They are produced in different sizes to suit people of different strength and different types of work. Always wear eye protections when using these tools.

  Rock Chisels - Geology Chisels

A variety of durable tools used for prying, breaking rock specimens, and splitting rocks. A common tool used by rock, mineral and fossil collectors.

Brunton compass

The most frequent use for the Brunton in the field is the calculation of the strike and dip of geological features (faults, contacts, foliation, sedimentary strata, etc.). If next to the feature, the strike is measured by leveling (with the bull's eye level) the compass along the plane being measured. Dip is taken by laying the side of the compass perpendicular to the strike measurement and rotating horizontal level until the bubble is stable and the reading has been made. If properly used and if field conditions allow, additional features of the compass allow users to measure such geological attributes from a distance.

 

Rectangular protractor

Geologist feel comfortable to use a rectangular protractor rather than using a big and round protractor because it is user friendly, light weight and comes inside the pockets of geologist. A rectangular protractor has the angle markings around three edges of a rectangle instead of along the arc of a circle or half circle. The objects looks like a ruler and fits neatly inside a pocket or a case of instruments.

Camera

In the field, camera is used by geologist to take the pictures of various outcrops present in the field. The pictures later help us in better understanding and in preparing the geological report of the site.