Geology/Questions Answered by Expert Fraser Hamilton
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Very basic rock ID | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: Greetings: I live in SE PA and like to walk about. I also mentor several elementary and middle ... A: Dann: With regards to the types of rocks you are finding there are two I would recommend. The ... | |
| What Can I Give and How Can I Contribute To University I am Applying For Admission | 1/25/2012 |
| Q: I am a student of BS Geology and I have applied for admission in MS Geology (Sequence Stratigraphy) ... A: Niaz: I think that you are on the right course. While sequence stratigraphy is typically ... | |
| structural geology | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: sir, what are the significances of fractures in geology A: Elizabeth - Fractures can tell us a lot. The fractures themselves can tell you at least part of a ... | |
| Curious about rock type and why i has formed the way it did | 12/13/2011 |
| Q: I found a rock on the edge of a lake and was curious what kind it may be and how the rock in the ... A: There are two possibilities here. First, what you found could be a sandstone or conglomerate with ... | |
| Glaciers | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: What is the composition and areal distribution of continental and valley glaciers? A: Well they are both made of ice. Valley glaciers will have more rock and foreign debris. ... | |
| Geology | 11/1/2011 |
| Q: Sir, i am a student of Goa University India studying M.Sc part 2 in Earth Science/Geology. I am ... A: Riva: Sorry, I will not be much help. I do not know what it means to have a part 2 MSc (the part 2 ... | |
| Strange rock i.d. help please | 9/29/2011 |
| Q: This "rock" washed up on the beach when my family was on vacation two weeks ago. The beach was ... A: It looks to me like dried up oil. I would not be surprised if this were leftover from the oil spill ... | |
| Film, 'The Core' Magnetic field vs Electromagnetic | 9/24/2011 |
| Q: I did read a recent question about the film 'The Core'. But I am still confused about certain ... A: Jessie: I have not seen this film. However, I think that magnetic and electromagnetic could safely ... | |
| myrakite | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: I have worked in a large microscopic gold mine in Lake County Cal WE uncovered a large boulder ... A: Honestly, I have no idea what myrakite is. It is not a rock that I have ever heard of and I could ... | |
| Earth's Crust for Water,Oil,Coal, Minerals Extraction | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: Earth's Crust ------------- Earth's Crust - Soil can be used effectively for Extraction of Water ... A: Prshant: This is why geologists become geologists. We are trained to use variety of methods to ... | |
| inquiri | 8/26/2011 |
| Q: I've recently graduated and I want to make a research about alternative energy or about fuels which ... A: I am not sure what help you want. You need to do some independent research and come up with what ... | |
| Mountain ranges | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: My question concerns mountain ranges in the Western US. From the Front Ranges of New Mexico, ... A: Don: I think that the hiking you are doing in Oregon is NOT in the Rockies. Consider that within ... | |
| Soft grey earth mounds | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: in north east arizona . i found green sandstone like narrow walls under a pyramid like mound . a ... A: Adrian: If you really think that you have found human remains you need to contact the local ... | |
| Volcano activity | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: Gday......there is an email going around in Australia ,claiming that the recent activity of the ... A: Howdy: I think I have heard these arguements before. Likewise, there are some that contend that ... | |
| goelogical tools | 6/20/2011 |
| Q: What are the tools or equipment used by geologist? state the uses of each of the geogical tool A: There are lots of tools we use. The first and foremost is our mind. That makes sure we pay ... | |
| Petroleum Geology or Exploration Geophysics? | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: Good day Fraser, My name is Ikechukwu Nwigwudu and I am from Nigeria. I am a 2;1 graduate of ... A: If it were me I would want to go to the Alberta and study geology. That is before the consideration ... | |
| magnetic rock | 4/13/2011 |
| Q: I was running around my new garage last night with a magnet picking up nails and the magnet picked ... A: Bobby: I suspect that you could probably take that rock to Augusta and seek out the State Geologist ... | |
| Hawaiian Islands | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: I am a 6th grade science teaching-finishing up plate tectonics. I need help explaining to my ... A: Its the same reason that earthquakes happen. The hot spot is cycling, sometimes hotter than others ... | |
| Hawaiian Islands | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: I am a 6th grade science teaching-finishing up plate tectonics. I need help explaining to my ... A: Ginger: I wish I was there! I love this demonstration. I did at my son's school in the fall and ... | |
| Island of Japan moving | 4/3/2011 |
| Q: The island of Japan is said to have moved 8 feet to the east. I assume it was the tectonic plate ... A: Scott: I think your theory is spot on, and I have heard it from other people too. I am guessing we ... | |
| Geology and weather patterns | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: I live in Mountain Home, Arkansas and it seems many storms go around us. Does local geology (ridges ... A: Wendy: I thought I answered this. Sorry for the delay.... You happen to live very near the middle ... | |
| tsunami question | 3/18/2011 |
| Q: I understand tsunami waves have hit the west coast of the U.S. Why have we never had a tsunami ... A: To create a monster tsunami, the earthquake that is the cause has to happen on what is called a ... | |
| Link between earthquales and global warming? | 3/11/2011 |
| Q: there have been so many more major earthquakes recently....is there any chance this is linked to the ... A: Elizabeth It seems unlikely that melting ice sheets are contributing to the earthquakes being felt ... | |
| What a colour blind(RED-Green) Geologist can do | 2/18/2011 |
| Q: I know there is no cure for this. But it is too late for me to know that I am colour blind. I ... A: Honestly, I have no idea what the mining companies requirements are here. I know that a lot of the ... | |
| What a colour blind(RED-Green) Geologist can do | 2/17/2011 |
| Q: I know there is no cure for this. But it is too late for me to know that I am colour blind. I ... A: Pankaj: I would say that you need to make sure that you have letters of recommendation from your ... | |
| Archean and measuring time | 2/15/2011 |
| Q: Good day to you Mr. Hamilton, I actually have 2 questions I am hoping you are able to assist me on. ... A: Matthew: The Archaen is when we first find fossils. And the fossil set is unique. They are mostly ... | |
| siltstone, marl and clay | 1/22/2011 |
| Q: What is the difference between siltstone, marl and clay Regards A: Ahmed: Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Siltstone is a sedimentary rock that is composed ... | |
| Global seismology | 1/14/2011 |
| Q: I hope that this is not too political a question, but... With all the devastating earthquakes that ... A: Kevin: Seismologists likely are in all those places. However, there is absolutely no way to ... | |
| Please identify artifact | 11/30/2010 |
| Q: Found 1 meter deep in Hampshire County, West Virginia. It appears to be solid rock with multiple ... A: Mack: That is almost certainly a piece of core. Someone must have been doing some exploratory ... | |
| Clastic sediments | 11/10/2010 |
| Q: I've just been told that I have to make a 15 minutes presentation about ''when clastic sediments ... A: Laura: Sorry for the delay. Clastics are going to be harder and more likely to crush the ... | |
| Carbonates against sand | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: Carbonates against sand - who dominates under which circumstances the depositional environment? ... A: Laura Clastic sedimentation dominates in cold water environments (you need warm water for ... | |
| translucent rock | 10/12/2010 |
| Q: Fraser i have found a rock that is translucent and when you place a light under it you can see water ... A: Brian: Thanks for the follow up. I got the photo but not the video. Unfortunately the photo is ... | |
| Enviromental Geology | 10/4/2010 |
| Q: i humbly want ask you that,"i have read from books that the middle layer of atmosphere(mesosphere) ... A: Abdul: I think that what is happening is friction..... the colder air is very dense and the ... | |
| ROCK/FOSSIL ID | 8/31/2010 |
| Q: Hamilton. I found information you provided to "RON" regarding a rock found in Ashfield, MA. I ... A: Evelyn: I am honestly stumped. I would guess that this is some sort of igneous rock at first ... | |
| Stratigraphi | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: My name is M.Nouman and i'm student of geology, i'm now currently moving towards 3rd semester of ... A: Stratigraphy, to me, is one of hte most important fields of geology. Stratigraphers have to be ... | |
| Minerals Identification | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: sir my question is related towards the identification of minerals in a rock. im studying geology and ... A: Part of your study should be developing the knowledge to identify minerals in a hand specimen, ... | |
| ROCK/FOSSIL ID | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: Hamilton. I found information you provided to "RON" regarding a rock found in Ashfield, MA. I ... A: Evelyn: Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Can you tell me where you found these ... | |
| Earth structure | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: Sir, I would like to know about earth structure, and Gravitational Magnetic/ forces.And deep ... A: Sarwar: Quickly we are getting outside my area of expertise. Mag declination is simply the measure ... | |
| Earth structure | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: Sir, I would like to know about earth structure, and Gravitational Magnetic/ forces.And deep ... A: Sarwar: I am not sure that anyone has the answers for why the magnetic poles move around, causign ... | |
| Fossil ID | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: Fraser... While fossil hunting with my granddaughter on the Alburg Peninsula on Lake Champlain, ... A: I really think you probably found pieces of a small trilobite. You need to look at what else is in ... | |
| Fossil ID | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: Fraser... While fossil hunting with my granddaughter on the Alburg Peninsula on Lake Champlain, ... A: Ron: Are they pieces of triolobites? How big is that fossil? What else was found around it? It ... | |
| rocks | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: I just found the black glassy looking one in a river bottom in SC. Thought maybe coal but Ive worked ... A: Matthew - it looks like obsidan (aka volcanic glass). To that angular it is either obsidan that ... | |
| rocks | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: what type of properties a reservoir rock supposed to be and under what conditions a rock bearing ... A: A good reservoir has to have good porosity. Ideally it will also have good permeability. It also ... | |
| Seismograph | 6/17/2010 |
| Q: What can a seismograph tell us? A: Jack: A seismograph tells you how fast and when the Earth moved. By carefully studyign the wave ... | |
| fossil | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a number of questions.Please answer as many as possible according to your expertise. 1.I have ... A: I have answered what I can below: 1.I have seen for sale fossils of ginger and garlic in an ... | |
| Rock Identification | 6/2/2010 |
| Q: I am hoping you can help me discover what sort of rock it is that I found in my garden. It's ... A: Bob: My guess is that it is magnetite. There are large deposits in the Adirondacks, so someone ... | |
| Kimberlite?? | 5/26/2010 |
| Q: I recently purchased mineral at a Rock/Mineral/Gem show and the seller sold to me as Kimberlite. ... A: I honestly cannot tell from the picture. Did the seller tell you where it came from? That is ... | |
| Please guide me sir | 5/22/2010 |
| Q: Sir, I've completed 12th and I'm put into great chaos about selecting my career. I'm kind of ... A: Geology is the study of the Earth. It is a lot. You will need to specialize and be a ... | |
| Coastal Bluff x Coastal Cliff | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: Hamilton, I am reading a book on Beaches and Dunes restoration and have come across the following ... A: I would guess they are the same. Someone might describe a bluff as being on top of loose material ... | |
| Stone in a pond | 4/20/2010 |
| Q: Can I use Ironstone in an ornamental pond or will it leach out too much metal into the water and ... A: I probably would not use ironstore in my pond. To be certain you would have to consider the ... | |
| Seismic response files/GSE format | 4/16/2010 |
| Q: I've been doing research since last September into radon gas. I've been collecting hourly samples of ... A: I am sorry, this is beyond me. I am not familiar with the GSE format, and I am not sure how to ... | |
| Seismic response files/GSE format | 4/10/2010 |
| Q: I've been doing research since last September into radon gas. I've been collecting hourly samples of ... A: Dave: I am not familiar with any of these data problems. I followed your link and will see what I ... | |
| Identification | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: I have a "rock". I'm going to call it that even though I suspect it is a mineral. The specimen is ... A: I am honestly stumped. I could make guesses about this being some sort of lava flow with crystals ... | |
| Identification | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a "rock". I'm going to call it that even though I suspect it is a mineral. The specimen is ... A: Katie: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! Any chance you can take a picture and email it ... | |
| What kind of rock? | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: .. We found an interesting rock for our granddaughter who is very interested in rocks, minerals & ... A: Ron: Thanks for the additional picture and the location information. I am not a petrologist or an ... | |
| What kind of rock? | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: .. We found an interesting rock for our granddaughter who is very interested in rocks, minerals & ... A: Ron: Without holding this one in my hand it is a challenge. My first guess was some sort of ... | |
| Rock?? i found | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: I found a ?rock? lying on the ground, it is about 18lbs, approx. 5in.x 6 1/in. and about in. at ... A: Seana: I honestly think you found a piece of metal, maybe from a piece of mining or farming ... | |
| Black Line | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: For homework we had to look for cool looking rocks, so i thought look at the beech and i started ... A: Corey: That black line was probably created when there was a storm. The storm washed away a lot of ... | |
| Theory on glacial movement | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: I would like to propose a new theory on mountains and glacial melt as well as the reason the ice ... A: Robert: You clearly have thought a lot about this. But consider, how cold would the earth have to ... | |
| Theory on glacial movement | 2/17/2010 |
| Q: I would like to propose a new theory on mountains and glacial melt as well as the reason the ice ... A: Robert: It is an interesting theory and has some elements taht are feasible, however, I would argue ... | |
| One last Opinion | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I was wanting to get one last opinion about this rock I found while meteorite hunting before I sent ... A: Sorry - thought I answered this a couple of days ago. How do you know that there is nickel in the ... | |
| Weird rock found | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I found this odd rock on the beach in Texas yesterday and I don't know what it is. It kinda looks ... A: Mike: Based on looking at the picture and the fact that you found it on the Texas Coast, I suspect ... | |
| what is it | 1/18/2010 |
| Q: while hiking I found a spot inside of some granite boulders where a ring of quartz surround a ... A: I doubt it is gold. I suspect that it is probably biotite or hornblende. It could possibly be ... | |
| what is it | 1/17/2010 |
| Q: while hiking I found a spot inside of some granite boulders where a ring of quartz surround a ... A: Granite forms from a molten mixture of specific chemicals. The exact chemistry and the cooling rate ... | |
| Identification of a rock | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I found this rock in a river on queen charlotte island in british columbia canada. It has these ... A: Update - it could be that those inclusions grew in place in the finer grained matrix. The chemistry ... | |
| Identification of a rock | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I found this rock in a river on queen charlotte island in british columbia canada. It has these ... A: Dave: It is really difficult to tell much from this photo, but I suspect that it is one of two ... | |
| BLACKISH SILVER METALLIC ROCK | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: I FOUND A BAG OF ROCKS WHEN I WAS MOVING OUT OF MY HOUSE. THE ROCKS LOOK LIKE ROCKS ON THE OUTSIDE. ... A: Dawn, AllExperts has a way to attach pictures to a question. See if you can work that out and send ... | |
| Strange rocks in Queensland, Australia | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I'm currently working in central QLD clearing land which involves picking a lot of rock out of the ... A: Luke: It looks like a piece of sandstone. If you could find the outcrop, or bedrock, you would ... | |
| fossil | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: Dr. Hamilton, I am a high school science teacher currently teaching in a small Native village ... A: Those are bryozoa. They are coral like animals that grow with the distinctive chain-like pattern ... | |
| Rocks that look like large eggs | 12/3/2009 |
| Q: Can you tell me what kind of rocks these are? A friend gave them to my mother about 50 years ago in ... A: They look like they could be geodes, without well developed crystals. Or the crystals were ... | |
| EVIDENCE FOR A YOUNG EARTH? | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: As I'm sure you know, a large segment of the creation/evolution controversy centers around the idea ... A: Mike: Having left school some 20 years ago I am a little removed from those sorts of academic ... | |
| Is this a Geode | 11/17/2009 |
| Q: ..I believe this came from Tennessee, see attached image. When you move it feels like a gyroscope ... A: Lathrop, I think that what you have is more likely a concretion, which would be solid all the way ... | |
| Land-Type Associations | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: Hamilton, I was wondering if you could please assist me in finding information on Geology and its ... A: Brianna: Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Hopefully, it is not too late. Geology is ... | |
| please help me with the answer | 10/23/2009 |
| Q: using seismic wave, explain the interior of the earth? A: Bernard: Sorry for taking so long to get back to you..... There are three types of seismic waves, ... | |
| What's this rock? | 10/18/2009 |
| Q: I live in Minnesota. While taking a walk in the woods we noticed this rock, in attached image. It ... A: Tom: First my apologies in taking so long to get back to you. You certainly have an interesting ... | |
| Waterfalls and Rivers | 10/10/2009 |
| Q: I read that waterfall is formed because of rivers flowing over the mountain rocks. How are rivers ... A: Rivers are how water gets from teh mountains to the oceans. The water may come from rain, snow melt ... | |
| Tempuratures below grade | 10/7/2009 |
| Q: I read somewhere that almost any place in the world if you dig 3 feet below grade it should be about ... A: Bruce: The theory is good. This is the whole basis of geothermal heating systems that use deep ... | |
| easy to find a job in USA as geologist? | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I would like to ask about how easy is to find a job in USA as geologist.(it is not a question about ... A: Pablo: Right now it is very difficult, the economic situation is dire in many areas and work is ... | |
| Bali safe? | 10/3/2009 |
| Q: I was hoping i may trouble you with a question -- I will be getting married at the end of november. ... A: Ravi: Congrats on your upcoming wedding and your ability to take a 6 month holiday/honeymoon. There ... | |
| Question | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: I want to ask you a question that how do earthquakes really occur? If oceanic plates and continental ... A: Yousuf: You are right, the plates do move very slowly. However, there are places where the plates ... | |
| Question about rocks/geology | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I just moved to the Northern Woods, just a hop skip and a jump from Lake Superior, Rock heaven. I ... A: First - sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I think your original email got lost in my ... | |
| obsidian | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: are theys 10 peices of obsidian that are 20mm rare?How is all of them worth A: Gavin: I really cannot tell from your picture the state of the pieces you have. I suppose if they ... | |
| Could it be? | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: I have been finding all sorts of neat rocks and crystal formations scattered all over . I live in ... A: James: Good job on being observant. I am not intimately familiar with the geology of Alberta and my ... | |
| petrified wood/charcoal | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: I read that petrified wood can have charcoal in the middle is it possible and how rare is it to find ... A: Eric: I am not an expert on this, but it seems unlikely to me that there would be charcoal, or coal ... | |
| found a rock | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: My name is Madeline McMahan. I am 11 years old and interested in geology. I live on a farm next ... A: Madeline: I would guess what you have is coal. It would make sense with where you are, especially ... | |
| Question about geology | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: My name is Yousuf. I want to ask you a question about geology. I want to ask that what is really ... A: Yousuf: There is plenty of evidence, both using physics and some actual measurements that suggest ... | |
| environmental geology | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: What is exactly "environmental geology " Is there a big difference in term of career and study with ... A: I am not sure exactly what the study of environmental geology means. That is something that has ... | |
| rock identifcation | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: around 10 or so years ago.. i was near a gold mine just walking around in southern california. i ... A: Whatever that crystal is, it is a great specimen. My first guess is garnet, but I think that it is ... | |
| rock identifcation | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: around 10 or so years ago.. i was near a gold mine just walking around in southern california. i ... A: Dan: It is pretty difficult to tell what you have with that photograph. Any chance you could get ... | |
| MSc specializing in geothermal | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: Greetings from Malaysia! Dear Mr. Hamilton. I am interested in pursuing my studies in USA; ... A: Greetings: If your research indicates that SMU is indeed at the forefront of the technology, then ... | |
| continental separation | 7/2/2009 |
| Q: Has the GPS system been accurate enough or operating long enough to measure how fast America is ... A: Glenn: I believe that GPS is accurate enough to make the measurements you refer to, and I am sure it ... | |
| petrified wood | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: I was investigating an area of disrupted ground and found a rock with with a plant growing out of ... A: Troy: Where did you find this? That is always one of the first things a geologist wants to know. ... | |
| rock or meteor | 6/22/2009 |
| Q: i have a rock? i found hiking in the aj az desert and its black and looks melted its about half of a ... A: Carla: It looks like a piece of volcanic magma, but that would not make sense for where you found ... | |
| Strange rock | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: I just found a dark green glassy rock, similar to the one Allison found in Tennessee, but I found ... A: It could be a byproduct from steel making or some other process like that requires very high ... | |
| Strange rock | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: I just found a dark green glassy rock, similar to the one Allison found in Tennessee, but I found ... A: Enrika: I would guess that what you have is some sort of volcanic glass. I do not know the geology ... | |
| is geology fit for girls | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: I'm a girl belonging to a middle class Bengali family with an ambition to earn best in future. I ... A: Geology is fine for girls. There are loads of female geologists around the world. Only you can ... | |
| geology scope | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: i will be applying for bsc in geology in an indian university but am hoping to pursue msc abroad.my ... A: I am not sure which schools to suggest for study of natural disaster. I would guess some schools in ... | |
| Karst Geology | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: There is a group of us in the Tampa Bay area that are opposed to the use of a restricted use ... A: Well, it might be more difficult than I originally thought. There is so much development it is ... | |
| Karst Geology | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: There is a group of us in the Tampa Bay area that are opposed to the use of a restricted use ... A: Melissa: This is pretty easy to suss out. First, you have a soil scientist who has stated that only ... | |
| Geology | 5/5/2009 |
| Q: Explain what is a 'convectional current' as it applies to our earth's interior and plate movements. A: Karolinka: Sorry for taking so long to reply. A convection current occurs when hot and cold fluids ... | |
| Geology | 4/19/2009 |
| Q: Let's say I want to travel to when the Earth was 3500 million years old. Will I be able to survive ... A: Azi: Sorry for the delayed response. I doubt humans would have been able to survive on Earth 3500 ... | |
| Underwater volcano | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I am in 4th grade and want to do my science project on 'what happens different from a land volcano ... A: Daniel: Here is how I would approach this problem. First do some research on underwater (or ... | |
| geologic dating | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: I'm very interested in the stone ruins of Pumapunku in Bolivia. The stones are estimated to be ... A: There are numerous methods of dating rocks. Some are more precise than others. In all cases the ... | |
| regarding rocks | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: We are sorry, but Farrukh Qayyum wasn't able to answer yourHi, my name is Bry and I am working on a ... A: I will try: 1) as lava cools minerals form. The specific minerals that form depend on the ... | |
| rocks and stuff | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: how could you determine if a sample of gold is pure? A: Paige: To determine the purity of gold I suspect that you would have to submit a part of the sample ... | |
| strange Unknown Rock | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: i think i have a wide collection of rocks worth money but i am not sure. i have a rock that has a ... A: Susie: Sorry for the delayed response. It sounds like you may have a piece of turquoise, but it is ... | |
| Kentucky Escarpment/Magnetic Lines & Creativeness | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: I would like to ask two questions if allowed. (1)I'm from Western KY. now living in Nashville, TN. ... A: Mike: I see you have asked these questions before in this forum. Regardless, here is my take. For ... | |
| Possible volcanic activity | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: One day while walking with my grandson, we took a shortcut through a vacant lot where a train track ... A: Barbara: You should be rewarded for your curiosity and grasp of the scientific process. And for ... | |
| basalt from Sardinia | 12/30/2008 |
| Q: I need a geological information about basalts or your point of view, it's quite important for me ... A: Marco: You can email your pictures to fhamilton@earthconsulting.org. I will take a look. I have to ... | |
| what rock is it | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: I was at the beach and i stummbled along a 4inch rock its is a pitch black color, it sinks in water ... A: Kevin: Sorry for hte delay in responding! Happy New Year. What you have sounds like obsidan. ... | |
| Basin | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: Greetings Fraser, What is the opposite of a basin in geology, please? Is it a mountain or merely ... A: Sorry for the delayed response. Your question got lost in the email of the weekend. I think that ... | |
| metamorphic processes | 11/21/2008 |
| Q: I had a question dealing with metamorphic rocks. I was told that garnet- mica schist and granite ... A: Ashley: I can imagine two different ways this could happen. Assuming that the granite has the ... | |
| Concrete | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: Your question was Hi i am doing a course in chemistry on concrete and I have been asked to write a ... A: HArry: What property of the concrete are you interested in? If it is strength then you will need ... | |
| petrified rock | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I have some petrified rock from Utah. I put it in the dirt in my garden, and after a few years it ... A: Did you try the cleaning I suggested? If that did not work and hte staining is actually in the ... | |
| geology | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: Sir, I have done post graduation in geology in 2003,after that I got a job outside India. But due to ... A: I expect that you need to think about getting a masters degree in geology and developing some ... | |
| What kind of rock is this? | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: On our travels through Eastern/Central Oregon, we saw many hillsides that were covered in white ... A: Cheryl: Unfortunately I am in Cleveland and my total exposure to Oregon geology (or Oregon period) ... | |
| Question | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: what does high-sulfur coal produces? A: I am not sure what you are looking for here, but here is what I think high-S coal produces when it ... | |
| pangea | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Sorry to bother you. How does someone get a Geologist to take a look at a new Theory for Pangea? I ... A: Robert: You will have to do the following I think: Write up your idea. Study some journals (like ... | |
| Schools/Time it takes | 9/27/2008 |
| Q: About how long does it take to get a Ph.D. in geology? I guess more specifically, after I get a ... A: Madison: I do not think you need to get a masters before the PhD but it would be the natural ... | |
| role of mountains | 9/19/2008 |
| Q: In your last answer, you asked: "Harry: Who was the scientist that made this statement?" =>I ... A: Is this not the same question you asked before? I googled your scientist. He seems to have a knack ... | |
| role of mountains | 9/4/2008 |
| Q: In your last answer, you asked: "Harry: Who was the scientist that made this statement?" =>I ... A: Well you have to consider that the roots of the mountains turn an otherwise flat surface (the ... | |
| geology report | 9/3/2008 |
| Q: i need ur help on guiding me on my assignments. well i have a report to submit. the title is quite ... A: Consider writing your paper or assignment on Manhattan (New York City). If you look at the skyline ... | |
| petrified rock | 8/29/2008 |
| Q: I have some petrified rock from Utah. I put it in the dirt in my garden, and after a few years it ... A: Marilyn: I have no idea what it is that has stained your piece of petrified wood. If it is really ... | |
| role of mountains | 8/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a question whose answer I can't manage to find. That is why, I send you this letter. My ... A: I honestly do not think that the mountains would prevent any swaying. They are too top heavy, just ... | |
| role of mountains | 8/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a question whose answer I can't manage to find. That is why, I send you this letter. My ... A: I am not sure what you mean by swaying, but the crust is in constant motion. Mountains do not ... | |
| white rock | 7/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a white rock that my husband and I found in the woods in northern Wisconsin. I've looked ... A: Victoria: My apologies for the delay in response. I was on vacation and forgot to tell the ... | |
| Geological Report Cost | 7/15/2008 |
| Q: Hope to find you well. I own a couple of claims, which I would like a geological report done on for ... A: Sorry for the delay in response, I was on holiday and forgot to notify the system. It seems that ... | |
| lightning strikes & ledge | 7/3/2008 |
| Q: I clean a house which is built on ledge - the interior of the entry actually consists entirely of ... A: Sharon: Sorry for the delay in responding. Your questions raises more questions than answers: 1) ... | |
| Dating Techniques | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I am a biology student and I'm particularly interested in evolutionary biology and paleontology. ... A: Tom: I hope I am not being setup for something here. It does happen..... Despite being considered ... | |
| a petrified orio cookie? Just kidding :o) | 6/21/2008 |
| Q: i have a mystery rock, it will fit in 2 hands held out. it appears to be uniform color a reddish ... A: Darrell: It is possible that this is all one rock, all the same all the way through and that the ... | |
| earthquake | 6/17/2008 |
| Q: How does an earthquake happen? What are the regions in the world that are mostly likely to have an ... A: Jena: An earthquake generally happens when energy stored in the earth's crust is released. This ... | |
| carbonate sequence | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: What is the keep up,catch up,build up,progradational and fill up carbonate stacking in sequence ... A: Yusuf: Despite being a carbonate stratigrapher by training, I am not familiar with some of those ... | |
| blue rock | 6/11/2008 |
| Q: i have a rock that has been in my grandmothers draw for sixty years.it is blue glassy with a little ... A: Tanya: It sounds like it could be some sort of volanic rock. But without a picture or more ... | |
| rock found in back yard | 5/30/2008 |
| Q: I found a rock in my backyard and it looks like a rock that was heated to a high heat(blackened ... A: Jeanette: I would love to help, but I need a little more information. Can you tell me where you ... | |
| Global Warming | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: Sir, The temperature is increasing every year, What is the average temperature that can melt all ... A: Hafeez: The current global warming trend is something that humans have never experienced. There are ... | |
| Earthquqakes | 5/26/2008 |
| Q: Jesus predicted there shall be "earthquakes in divers places" as one of the signs of the last times ... A: Joe: I am not sure that there an increasing number of earthquakes, or that what we are seeing is an ... | |
| geological maps | 5/20/2008 |
| Q: would you please tell me about the usefulness of geological maps for civil engineers. A: Consider the island of Manhattan. All the skyscrapers are built on the west or south of the island. ... | |
| soil microbiology | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: can you please tell me that is it true that salinity is directly prportional to water table.if yes ... A: Bushara: I suppose if the salts in the soil are water soluble and there is recharge to the aquifer ... | |
| job of geologist | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: salam sir .my question is the job of geologist are various field.in pakistan or out A: I am not sure what the question is here. Please provide more information. If you are interested in ... | |
| Placer gold | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: In western Pa. there is glacier gold which I believe is quartz in nature. Are there any nuggets ... A: Chuck: I was not aware of placer gold deposits in Western PA but I suppose it is not unexpected! ... | |
| Affect of polar shift on the surface | 4/3/2008 |
| Q: What would be the effect of a polar shift of the earth magnetic pole on the surface (land mass and ... A: David: If the poles were to reverse (that is the earth's magnetic field were to shift) I do not ... | |
| Re: What small devise can help ? | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: I'm working as a trade manager for a minerals trading company and we always need to request samples ... A: Desmond: I am not sure what you mean by Ferum content? Are you trying to sort out if the mineral ... | |
| Sinkhole | 3/24/2008 |
| Q: Two nights ago, a hole opened up in our yard. Unfortunately, it opened under my elderly father! We ... A: Lisa: Just wondering - what have you learned? Fraser | |
| Second Career? | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: It has taken me a long time to figure out what career interests me. So long in fact that I am ... A: Tasha: You shuold probably take a couple of geology classes and/or spend some time with a working ... | |
| Jasper | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know where in the United States you can find Jasper Rocks? I found a rock in ... A: It seems to me that you could find jaspar in that part of the country. See if you can find the ... | |
| Problems associated with off shore oil exploration techniques | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a question on the problems associated with oil exploration techniques off shore. These ... A: Steve: Seismic is the hardest to do offshore, especially as you get deeper because of the ... | |
| Physical Geology | 3/7/2008 |
| Q: How does oxygen in the atmosphere differ from oxygen in rocks and minerals? A: Faye: Oxygen is oxygen. It may have slightly different isoptopes based on the atmosphere at the ... | |
| meteorites | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: i have a rock that has it's very own radiating crystal lattice structure, probably created by ... A: JP: Interesting question. here are my thoughts, and remember, I am a soft rock geologist by ... | |
| new york underwater | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: can you tell me about new york and how it was once covered in water? Are there any interesting facts ... A: Chris: There are plenty of things that live under the water. Think of sea life today. In the ... | |
| Quicksand | 2/12/2008 |
| Q: My name is Ryan. I am 10 year old student have some questions about quicksand. I am doing a science ... A: Ryan: Sorry for the delay in responding. I will try and help answer what I can. 1) QS can be ... | |
| scientist discovery about the earth | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: hello ... i got three questions about the creation of the earth .... 1-when did the geologist ... A: Aziz: I am not sure when the roots to mountains were discovered. I expect that one of the great ... | |
| best geology programs | 2/6/2008 |
| Q: I have recently discovered that I love geology. I live in san diego county in southern california. ... A: Jessica: I went to school in the east (University of Maine, Temple University) and the south (Texas ... | |
| engineering profession | 2/2/2008 |
| Q: what is the importance of engineering geology to engineering profession A: I am a geologist and I spent a lot of time in school studying geology. I have spent my entire ... | |
| diamonds | 1/9/2008 |
| Q: i'm in advansed raeding and i decided that i wanted to do a report on diamonds but i can't find ... A: Maggie - Here are four websites. The last one has links to lots of others. Hopefully these will be ... | |
| green glassy rock | 1/8/2008 |
| Q: I'm Allison and I'm from west Tennessee. Well when I was little I loved to collect rocks. I can ... A: Allison: It sounds like an interesting sample you have. Did you find it is West TN? Where abouts ... | |
| Ancient volcanic activity East Coast USA...etc | 1/7/2008 |
| Q: Mr. Hamilton, I am really curious about the ancient rifting that occured in the East coast of ... A: Ashleigh: Rest assured people are paying attention. When I was an undergraduate in Maine we visited ... | |
| Granite | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: I have been informed that granite is not good to be used in homes , say on benchtops, floors, ... A: Tony: I have never heard this before. I suppose that if there some radioactive mineralogy in the ... | |
| Best Geology Schools | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I just recently became interested in geology. I am currently a freshman at indiana university. I ... A: Jordan: It seems to me that IU is a good geology school. Others in the area might include OSU, ... | |
| Temperature underground | 12/18/2007 |
| Q: What is the temperature (degrees F) below five of ground, more specifically in South Florida. ... A: Richard: Sorry for the delay in response. At 5 feet below ground the temperature will probably vary ... | |
| Master Degree & Deserts | 12/6/2007 |
| Q: I am a female from Egypt, and I have a Bachelor Degree in Accounting. I have worked for both ... A: Noran: You have asked a lot and certainly thought things out. I will do my best to help. That said ... | |
| geology | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: what are the properties you will consider in selecting a sedimentary rock as a building stone. ... A: Prince: You have to consider many things. First - what is available locally. Transportation can ... | |
| Science | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: Do you have any pictures of all of the layers that I havce permission to use on my project? A: I don't have any. This link goes to Wikipedia, which I think is all royalty free. But I do not ... | |
| science question | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: How are scientists certain about the interior of our Earth? A: John: It has to do wiht the time it takes energy to travel through the Earth. For instance, a ... | |
| question really important! | 11/6/2007 |
| Q: how to geologists discover the mountains age? A: We use all kinds of techniques. Fossils, magnetics, carbon age dating and looking at the big ... | |
| mineral | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: What are the processes that forms a mineral? A: Sorry for the delay in responding. Minerals form under specific temperature and pressure scenarios. ... | |
| growing rock | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: my mom has a rock and me and her swear that it grows because we've had it for a year and it seems ... A: Emily: If it is growing and it is out of water or some sort of solution of water and minerals, it is ... | |
| Question about volcano | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: If there is an eruption under the water can you see it from the outside? A: It is possible. It would depend on how big the eruption was and how deep the water was. There are ... | |
| groundwater | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: i am having trouble with the followingSuppose there is a groundwater basin that is being drawn from ... A: Karl: The only way to make it better is to use less groundwater. Stop watering lawns and washing ... | |
| Black Sand | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: I am helping my daughter with a science project. We collected white and black sand from a stretch ... A: Marc: You are right, the processes are the same at Bethany as they are at Stone Harbor. The source ... | |
| Black Sand | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: I am helping my daughter with a science project. We collected white and black sand from a stretch ... A: Greetings: First question - which beach at the Shore did you collect the sand? Second - I am ... | |
| Geology/Geography | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: Greetings -- today I learned that my youth was mis-spent on an a peninsula, not an island. I am ... A: Steven: Do not worry. The problem is not what you have learned or known for years, but the beauty ... | |
| Geology - 1st year university level | 9/29/2007 |
| Q: Describe the surface processes in the rock cycle that produce sediment and sedimentary rock. A: Janessa: It is all about water and wind. Water erodes rocks, water freezes and the resulting ... | |
| science | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: I am in the 6th grade and my class is having a debate on whether or not Wegener's theory is correct. ... A: An early argument against Wegener was the existence of mountain chains parallel to the equator. If ... | |
| Round Stone | 9/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a round stone that came into my families possession around 70 years ago when it was brought ... A: Ross: Sounds intriguing. But, without some more information, I cannot help. The roundness is ... | |
| Mountain Belts | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: How is mountain belt formation related to accumulation stage? A: Carrie: Here is soem information I found on the internet ... | |
| science | 8/28/2007 |
| Q: can you give me a list of scientists who study rocks,water,tornadoes,and lights A: Kortanie: Scientists who study rocks are geologists. There are lots of them. Scientists who study ... | |
| environmental geology | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: Sir, how can i relate active tailings dam of a gold mine to the ground water around it? thank you ... A: I would think you could establish three sampling points. Sample and analyze the water behind the ... | |
| Smooth stones/rocks | 6/11/2007 |
| Q: My daughter and I were walking around behind a house I own in Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County, NY. ... A: Neil: I am guessing what you found is a piece of quartz. It is likely one of hte only whitish rocks ... | |
| Geologists analyzing rocks | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: I'm a junior in high school and I have a project due tomorrow regarding Geologists and rocks. I ... A: Mary: Hope this reply is in time. Rock samples are analyzed in the field using our eyes, hammers ... | |
| moho | 4/26/2007 |
| Q: I am investigating Earth Crust Displacement. Can you give your opinion on whether or no the ... A: Alexa: I am guessing that there is some movement at the Moho, but I am not convinced that it is 100% ... | |
| Geology | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: What are the biological, chemical, and physical factors that affect the beaches around the world? ... A: Well think about the following: Biological - the plants on the dunes that hold the dunes there. The ... | |
| geology of live rock | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: Can you recommend some resources for a college level geology paper dealing with live rock (as used ... A: I have no idea what live rock is that is used in aquariums, but I am guessing that if it is truly ... | |
| earths atmosphere | 3/13/2007 |
| Q: Hamilton, Our 6 year old son asked how does oxygen stay on the earth and not just go into space and ... A: Jackson: This is a good question, and not one I have heard from my 5 or 7 year olds yet. The simple ... | |
| little brown/red rocks | 3/8/2007 |
| Q: Mr. Hamilton I have a puzzle I would like you help me solve. I live in Georgia, about 45 mile north ... A: Eric: You did not tell me anything about the "rock" that the developer blasted and hauled away. But ... | |
| rock types | 2/27/2007 |
| Q: How do you find clues to the distribution of rock types? A: Bonnie: Things like topography, vegetation and other rocks can all be clues as to rock type. Also ... | |
| RE.. | 2/20/2007 |
| Q: Mr.Dr Hamilton sorry for my bad english. we are going to define a new field of geology in the ... A: Well I would try and look at course listings for universities here in the USA and that might be a ... | |
| Thoughts on Geology | 2/14/2007 |
| Q: Hamilton, took a college course in Geology as an elective. The University business program doesnt ... A: Chris: I think that every one I know who is a geologist is probably more in tune with their ... | |
| water and stress | 1/16/2007 |
| Q: How do water features contribute to the metamorphic process? How do differential stress features ... A: Patricia: I will try and help, but this type of geology is a little outside my expertise. Water - ... | |
| Glaciers, Oceans, and Time | 11/29/2006 |
| Q: Hey Can you please help me check my answers for me and correct those that are wrong. thanks 1. ... A: See my comments below: 1. The place where the ocean floor suddenly plunges downward is called the ... | |
| Weathering, Erosion, and Water | 11/29/2006 |
| Q: Can you please help me check my answers to see if they are right and correct the ones that are ... A: 1. Which one of the following statements is correct? A. Stalagmites are narrower than stalactites. ... | |
| Geology | 11/9/2006 |
| Q: and I am 13 years old. I study in the American School of Rio de Janeiro. I will ask you some ... A: 1 - Igneous rocks are made of individual minerals. Metamorphic rocks have unique minerals as a ... | |
| Volcanoes | 11/9/2006 |
| Q: my name is Anna Davies and I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I study at EARJ (Escola Americana do ... A: Anna: Lava is molten rock. It happens when the Earth's crust is sucked into the mantle, or deep ... | |
| Rocks and Minerals | 11/7/2006 |
| Q: my name is Anna Davies and I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I study in EARJ (Escola Americana do ... A: Diamonds are formed deep in the EArth's crust under extreme heat and pressure. I am not sure why ... | |
| Brazilian Student - Geology Unit | 10/29/2006 |
| Q: my name is Patricia. I’m a seventh grade student at an American school over seas in Brazil. I’m ... A: 1. Why some rocks are so hard while others are so soft? Mineralogy, type of rock (igneous, ... | |
| school project | 10/29/2006 |
| Q: Hamilton, My name is Beatriz Teixeira, I'm thirteen years old and I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ... A: 1. Why do volcanoes erupt? Because the magma builds up to much pressure and has to get out. 2. How ... | |
| Geology Questions | 10/26/2006 |
| Q: Fraser Hamilton, Hello, my name is Antonio and I'm from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! I study at an ... A: Antonio: I will do the best I can..... 1.How was the oldest grotto formed? By grotto I assume you ... | |
| phd | 10/22/2006 |
| Q: Sir, I intend to do phD in environmental science, but I am clueless as to how to go about it. What ... A: Well first you have to get a Bachelor's Degree and perhaps a Masters. Once you are working on your ... | |
| Geology Quesions | 10/20/2006 |
| Q: Good Morning Mr.Fraser Hamilton, I'm a 7th grade student from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I am doing a ... A: I will do my best.... 1. What is the most common type of rock? This a hard one, I really have no ... | |
| How can you tell how old a rock is? | 10/16/2006 |
| Q: How do geologists find out the age of enormously old rock formations? How is this done? A: There are several methods. If it has carbon in it, then you can use radio carbon dating methods. ... | |
| need help | 9/28/2006 |
| Q: Im an engineering student. My teacher gave us an assignment. I just cant find it in the net and in ... A: Well you probably will not find these answers out there anywhere. You need to take your knowledge ... | |
| desert rose | 9/17/2006 |
| Q: what exactly is a desert rose. What is it made of and where does it come from? A: I am guessing you are referring to a pseudo morph after gyspum. Gypsum is an evaporite mineral that ... | |
| Igneous and sedimentary rocks. | 9/15/2006 |
| Q: Why is it unlikely that marble or quartzite might be misidentified as an igneous rock such as ... A: You are right, these are rocks that could misidentified. However, marble and quartzite would likely ... | |
| Igneous and sedimentary rocks. | 9/15/2006 |
| Q: How is it possible to tell the difference between these two types of rocks? A: Igneous rocks will have interlocking minerals/crystals. Sedimentary rocks on the other hand will ... | |
| radio metric dating | 9/14/2003 |
| Q: Hamilton, This is my first experience with radiometric dating. I understand the basic principle of ... A: Dar: Here is how I think it goes. On the table, the only thing that matters in the second line. In ... | |
| Sea-Floor Spreading | 9/10/2003 |
| Q: You helped me out before and I liked your responses so much I am back for another question. I am ... A: Matt: Sorry I do not remember what you prior question was about, regardless, I will be happy to help ... | |
| life effecting GMST | 9/4/2003 |
| Q: Can you please explain to me if life has caused any long-term variations in GMST (global mean ... A: Shani: This is the whole global warming debate. Certainly, the human population has had an effect ... | |
Geology
Answers by Expert:
Fraser Hamilton
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have over 15 years of professional experience in the environmental geology field. I am well versed in general geology types of questions and answers. In addition I have a keen understanding of physical stratigraphy (especially in the Valley and Ridge of Central PA) and cycles.
Experience
Eight years of education, fifteen years of professional experience. Have worked or studied in ME, PA, TX, KY, IN, TN, OH, WA and Scotland.
Publications
Geological Society of America
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Properties Magazine
Cleveland Bar Association
Cleveland Engineering Society
Education/Credentials
BA Geology/Math, University of Maine at Farmington
MA Geology - Physical Stratigraphy, Temple University
Post Grad Studies Geology - Texas A&M University
Awards and Honors
Distinguished graduate teaching award, Temple University
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