Geology Walk of Downtown Asheville Nov. 18

The Colburn Earth Science Museum is happy to announce that another Geology Walk of downtown Asheville has been scheduled for Sat., Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Geology Walks offer a new way of seeing downtown with professional geologist Ken Hassam leading the walking tour: pointing out fossils in surprising places and explaining the geology of the granites, marbles and limestones which make up Asheville's beautiful and historic buildings.

Meet at the Colburn Earth Science Museum on Saturday morning at 10:30 am to go on the walk which is free for Colburn members and $5 per person for the general public. The walk lasts about 2 hours and ends at the Grove Arcade. Call the Museum at 828-254-7162 for more information or to make a reservation (encouraged, but not required.)

RELATED NEWS...
Large Amethyst Geode Now on View

The Colburn Earth Science Museum is pleased to announce that their stunning large amethyst geode, a gift of local businessman Bob Schabilion, owner of Emerald Village in Little Switzerland, is now on view free to the public for the first time since 2004.

Colburn Museum and Pack Place Staff Moving Large Amethyst Geode, l – r, Phil Potter, Craig Sloan, Linda Wilson (blurred), Tom Wilson

The geode, which measures over 3 feet in length and weighs many hundreds of pounds, took the combined efforts of three staff members to move. Geodes are formed by volcanic activity; after a volcano erupts, gas bubbles form inside the cooling lava. When the lava has cooled completely, these gas bubbles leave holes where crystals may grow, producing what appear to be solid rocks on the outside, but which reveal crystal pockets when opened: geodes.

The Colburn's amethyst was found in Brazil, and is estimated to be more than 40 million years old. Come down to the lower level of Pack Place to see this geode and two other sparkling specimens of amethyst, all in a case in the lobby.

The Crystal Pocket Gift Shop, located inside the Museum, also offers smaller geodes for sale and will even crack them neatly in two for the buyer. Call the Museum at 828/254-7162 or visit our website at www.colburnmuseum.org for more information.

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