ROCKS AND MINERALS AT EDITH J. CARRIER ARBORETUM (HARRISONBURG, VA)

Geology is all around us, but unless you have studied the subject, it can be difficult to determine what exactly is going on. One important part of understanding the geology around us is being able to recognize rock types and how they originate. The goal of this research project is to analyze the physical properties of the rocks found in the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, Harrisonburg, VA to develop an outdoor geological walk through. This research project is a great opportunity to involve the community in a learning experience that will be accessible to everyone. Eleven rock samples were collected along the preexistent most popular pathways in the arboretum. GPS data were collected to easily localize the samples in the field. Each rock sample was ground into a fine powder in laboratory and analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). Once each sample was analyzed via XRPD, rocks were classified based on the mineral contents that were identified using the International Center of Powder Diffraction (ICDD) PDF4+2019 database. Once the samples have been classified, each rock identified via X-ray diffraction will be included in an interactive map of the arboretum created via ArcGIS. A short paragraph detailing the rock types and their geological origin will be added in the map. A booklet summarizing the texture, mineralogical and chemical composition of the samples along the trails of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum will be designed and made available to the community.