On this page you will find general information on geology, how to study rocks and layman’s samples. If you are a professional, it’s worth checking out the Geo.fi site as well as GTK’s services.
For over 135 years, amateur geologists have been able to support the exploration and research of national raw material resources by sending rock or mineral samples to GTK. The layman’s samples are part of National Exploration Programme and currently GTK’s main interests in the research of raw material deposits in the Finnish bedrock lie in the critical and strategic raw materials listed by the European Union. A good sample may be the start for a mining or stone industry.
A layman’s sample (kansannäyte) is a sample of rock or mineral found in Finland by an amateur geologist. It has to include exact location data (coordinates). The sample can be an ore rock, industrial mineral, industrial stone, natural stone suitable for construction, gemstone, high-tech metal, or critical mineral. Please notice that meteorites are excluded from the layman’s sample observations.
Geology is one of the most diverse natural sciences. For those interested in geology and Finland’s bedrock, GTK offers a variety of geological materials, such as maps, photographs, and reports. The field of geology also provides numerous study and career opportunities.
