9:00 am -12:00, Saturday, December 11, 2010
Site Name: Vulcan Materials Company’s Morganton Quarry
City and State: Morganton, NC
County within State: Burke County

Children: Over 12 years old can attend if supervised closely by parent or guardian. Must wear appropriate safety gear. No Pets
 

TRIP: Vulcan Materials Company’s Morganton Quarry

COLLECTING: This quarry has several rock types, which include augen gneiss, chlorite biotite gneiss, amphibolite, and pegmatite. The following collectable minerals have been found at this location: garnet, golden beryl, black tourmaline, apatite, sphene, feldspar, biotite and muscovite books, and siderite. The majority of these minerals are found in the pegmatite zones. Garnets are almandine variety and have been found up to silver dollar size. However, the majority of them are 1/8” to 1/4” in diameter imbedded in the pegmatite. 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: This is an operating mine. All persons attending the fieldtrip will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement, take 15 minute hazardous training, and wear the required safety gear at all times. This includes a hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots. We will meet at the quarry office at 8:45 a.m., sign releases, receive instructions on boundaries and safety, and be lead into the collecting area.  We must leave the quarry by 12 noon! In addition, all persons are asked to stay away from the quarry walls. There is plenty of material loose on the quarry floor. VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED INSIDE THE QUARRY ON THIS TRIP and parked until leaving.

BRING: Hard hat, safety glasses, rock hammer, and something to carry and wrap samples.