It has been a while since I posted. Ten days to be exact. Life has happened. I thought that I need to make a concerted effort to post today as tomorrow I reach my day 100 on steemit. I would say it's quite a milestone.
So this last week I went on a trip to Limpopo to assist a post doc student in core logging and sampling. For those of you who don't know what core logging is, it's basically looking at almost every inch of drill core and you log what you see, like the mineralogy, mineralisation, contacts between packages, alteration etc etc. You generally sample subjectively based on what you are looking for. Core logging forms part of most new geologist's portfolios at some point. It is tedious and time consuming. We had laid out about 1.2 km of core.
A little more about geology in case you were thinking of going into it
The location of geology jobs or ventures is often remote, untainted shrubbery anf bushes. You basically have to find out what's going on underneath you using various techniques. Geologists have to be fimiliar with all forms of sciences, especially physical sciences. Most geologists are semi well versed in geochemistry, geophysics, volcanology, seismology, cosmology, paleantology, economic geology, geography, geochronology, hydrogeology, geomorphology, geotectonics, mining geology, sedimentology, minor metallurgy (normally a field of specialisation in mining), GIS, geomechanics and structural geology and the list goes on. The fact that it is so broad is what led me to geology, but it also frustrates me the most, especially when looking for a job. Jobs are very much based on the prices of the major commodities. You have to be versatile and flexible as a geologist, because you might be an expert in tin, and then the tin price drops and the gold price soars, which results in the loss of employment, pushing you to consider a job in the gold industry.
I am at a crossroads now as this phase of my studies will be coming to an end soon, hopefully. The matter in question is... do I continue to study, or do I work? With the economy being low, the jobs available are mostly in exploration, which takes you away from your family for sometimes up to months at a time. The money is good, but the life is not too great. The other option is to continue and eventually end up as an academic, lecturing and researching. The money is poor at first, and it takes long to get to where you want to be, but life is way more family conducive. Decisions, decisions. It's kind of difficult to pick academics if all you have known as a married couple of 5 years, is the student life (not the glamorous student life, but the non-glamorous type)
So in a nutshell, I have been busy in deed and in thought. Good vibes and prayers this way would be appreciated.
Keep well and have a good week 😀
Some photos from my Limpopo ventures
This is a core yard with all the core laid out that we needed.
Limpopo was featured in children's books in Soviet Union and I knew it was in Africa, but didn't know what part. Thanks for this post!
Hey, that's cool. Well it's kinda north, so it's generally hotter and dryer. It's also got a small forest in Tzaneen, with a tropical subclimate, where a lot of fruit and nuts are grown. I love Limpopo haha :)
North of South Africa, that is!
Oh, okay. I figured it was in South Africa somewhere. Nifty!
I think Jvan means "In the north of SA" :)
Awesome core photo! Looks well-organised and would be fun to review! Thanks for the great post and great questions you pose...
Yeah man. Nice to see other geologists here! Haha fun is an overstatement! Especially is you already know what's going on. If it is a mystery, then yes haha!
Hahaha! Agreed. Type III fun is the best way to describe core review... sometimes. i.e. not fun while you are doing it and not fun looking back at what you did retrospectively! Great photos and nice to meet you!
Thanks for that synopsis on your trip. At the end of the day quality of life is my determining factor when making a decision and that is seldom about money... All the best....
Difficult choices indeed my friend. A question which comes to my mind is, do the limitations and problems associated apply equally in the desirable parts of the planet or are there and likely to be better options elsewhere.
I am really sorry I did not take the plunge in 1984 when I felt inclined to leave for greener pastures since my children are all leaving now, when it is late for me, and we will be alone in a fairly low prospect location in terms of future political, economic and cultural stability.
You may well find your skills very much in demand down under, for example, and find to boot, that the nature of things there lends itself to keeping closer to your family.
A time for crucial decisions which will affect the rest of your lives.
You can rely on our prayers.
Melbourne Declared the world's most livable city.