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5.9.2020 - 30.9.2020
We cordially invite not only mineralogy enthusiasts to the exhibition Pavel Dvořák titled:
GYPSUM – UNUSUALLY ORDINARY MINERAL.
The exhibition has been extended until 30.9. 2020
Pavel Dvořák, a geologist and curator of the geological sub-collection of the natural science department of the museum, has been dedicated to mineralogy since his youth. He has contributed to professional publications and is involved in lecturing activities. The exhibition is the introductory event in a planned series of monographic exhibitions dedicated to individual types of minerals.
Gypsum is one of the most widespread minerals on the planet. It forms through precipitation from aqueous solutions during the evaporation of saline lakes. This results in gypsum karst formations, caves, sinkholes, and other karst phenomena.
During the weathering of iron sulfides such as pyrite and marcasite, a large amount of gypsum is produced due to the action of released sulfuric acid.
A typical characteristic of gypsum is its very low hardness. It has several varieties and forms dozens of crystal shapes: Marian glass, selenite, desert roses, alabaster, etc. It is a sought-after mineral for its use in various industrial sectors (in construction, agriculture, glass industry), as well as in art (sculpture, production of decorative items). It occurs in all types of mineralogical deposits.
In the Czech Republic, it was industrially mined around Opava (Kateřinky, Kobeřice, Sudice). The most famous locality in Bohemia was the clay pit near Strkovice in the Žatec region.
Worldwide, there are thousands of deposits, among which the occurrence in the Naica mine in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with exceptionally large specimens found, is quite unique.
In our exhibition, you will not see these giants, but we will primarily present gypsum from various finds in the northern Bohemia region, a large piece from the Opava area, and several samples from foreign deposits. You are cordially invited.
More information about the exhibition and accompanying program can be found at www.muzeummost.cz