The Club owns and operates a range of facilities for geological investigation and processing of rock and mineral finds (see lonks below). These include:
a high-powered stereoscopic microscope
a rock cutter
a rock polisher
a large collection of minerals, microminerals and fossils
an extensive database (including photographs) of minerals, microminerals and fossils collected by Club members
Club members have free access to these facilities. Non-members may request access by contacting the Secretary.
The sites listed below are some useful web sources for information on geology in general, and on methods for studying rocks, minerals and fossils.
Fossil Finds in New Zealand Fossils of the Top of the South: a gallery and description of several hundred of the fossils that you can find in the area (and elsewhere) based on the collections of a Nelson Roack and Mineral Club member: https://fossilfindsnz.weebly.com
Mindat The Mineral Database: Details of rocks, minerals and (to a lesser extent) fossils and where to find them, including useful guides and databases of specimens: https://www.mindat.org
FRED The Fossil Record Electronic Database: a searchable database and (partially-) interactive map of all officially registered recordings of fossils found in New Zealand https://fred.org.nz
GNS WebMap Client A web-based application giving access to an interactive map of the geology of New Zealand, at 1:1 million and 1:250,000 scale. https://data.gns.cri.nz/geology/
Geology.com An independent website run by a small team of enthusaists, providing detailed information on rocks and minerals, with a large gallery of photos. https://geology.com
GeoNet Geological hazard infdormation - including real time monitoring and mapping - for earthquakes, landsl;des and tsunami ion New Zealand. https://www.geonet.org.nz
IRIS Interactive real-time mapping of earthquake activity, world-wide. Navigation of the site isn't easy, but with persistence you can discover a rich pool of information. http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/index.phtml
Alex Strekeisen A truly amazing website of landscapes, rocks, minerals and thin-sections, featuring photos, descriptions and useful tips on identification. It's worth following him on Facebook as well! http://www.alexstrekeisen.it/english/index.php
Virtual Microscope A virtual micrpscope that allows you to examine thin sections of rocks from around the world, including the ability to zoom in on and rotate individual views in both plain and polarised light. https://www.virtualmicroscope.org
Digital Atlas of Ancient Life A US-based website providing 3D-images of a wide range of fossils, together with extremely useful information on how to identify fossils, (Part of a bigger website that covers rocks and minerals as well.) www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/