The Gem and Mineral Society of the Va. Peninsula (GMSVP) is hosting a field trip to the Vulcan Quarry in Manassas, VA, on Saturday, April 24th and we would like to extend an invitation to your club to join us. We understand some of you were just there several weeks ago, but for those who weren't able to attend we thought this would be a nice opportunity for your members.
Other Clubs have expressed an interest in attending as well.
The normal protocol for this location is arriving by 7:30 a.m. on April 24th at the office for check-in and safety meeting. Then be out by noon. As many times as your clubs have been there, I don't need to tell you what's there, how to get there or other site specific details.
Don't hesitate to contact Ted, the miraculously fantastic, with any questions you may have. We hope to have a safe and fun outing. We hope to see you there!
Special thanks to the Gem and Mineral Society of the Va. Peninsula (GMSVP).
Venue:
Vulcan Materials Quarry
8537 Vulcan Lane, Manassas 20109 , VA
http://www.mindat.org/loc-104545.html
What to Collect --- Prehnite, datolite, stilbite, byssolite, pyrite, pectolite, apophyllite, other zeolites. Good micros (e.g. laumontite).
See the Mindat page for pictures!
Directions --- From D.C. and Maryland area, take Washington Beltway (I-495) to I-66 (west) to Manassas Exit 44. Go south on Rt 234 (Bypass) for 3.3 miles. Turn Left on Wellington Rd. (at light) --- go ½ mile and turn left on Vulcan Road. Cross railroad tracks and take immediate right into office parking lot.
Equipment/ clothing --- Full safety gear --- steel toed shoes/boots, safety glasses, hardhat, work gloves --- rock hammer, 3 - 4 pound crack hammer, chisels, 5 gal. bucket, old newspaper for wrapping specimens, small pry bar. Optional -- large sledge hammer, long pry bar, extra buckets. Your best tools are sharp eyes. Clothing depends on the weather --- coveralls recommended. Rain poncho nice to have.
Quarry Description / Hints --- Manassas Quarry is a trap rock quarry -- large square, deep hole in the ground with multiple levels. The predominate rock is dark gray diabase which is mined for crushed rock for road construction. Prehnite is the main thing we will try to find --- Hint: look for a white or light green streak of color in the gray rock and examine carefully. Breaking that rock open may reveal a pocket of light green prehnite. Prehnite is not abundant here, so it has been a hit or miss thing. On the other hand, we have always (Lord willin’) found some nice specimens of something to make the trip worth-while. Hint ---Carefully search and investigate anything that is different.
