Geology Landscapes of Valencia County

If you or some youngsters have an interest in rocks and minerals, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology Mineral Museum, on the New Mexico Tech campus, 45 minutes south of Los Lunas, is a unique education resource for all Valencia County residents.

The museum holds 18,000 mineral specimens, with more than 5,000 on display. The main exhibit hall highlights top-quality minerals from New Mexico, the United States and around the world.

You will discover spectacular mineral specimens from New Mexico mining districts, minerals from uranium mines, a lapidary section, gold and silver minerals, agates and geodes, real meteorites and petrified wood. Also displayed are mining memorabilia, a gemstone display; and the museum has a breathtaking ultraviolet-mineral exhibit.

The museum is free, and open every day, including weekends (with the exception of university holidays). More information is available on the website, geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum/ or by calling the bureau at 575-835-5490. By reservation, a geologist will also help you identify whatever rock or mineral you may bring .

 

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Paul Parmentier, guest columnist