Y: Rocks as a Hobby and Geotourism

Amateur geology, or the study and collection of rocks and minerals, is a fun and multifaceted hobby. Spotting different rock types and geological sites goes together well with hiking and other outdoor activities.

Rock clubs in many cities provide engaging club activities as well an opportunity to further engage with your rock findings, perhaps by making jewellery out of them. Tampere has a rock club as well, Tampereen Kivikerho, which organises stone cutting courses, expert talks, rock hunting as well as excursions to mineralogical exhibitions and gemstone fairs. You can also ask the rock club for help with identifying a rock sample. Tampereen Kivikerho publishes the Mineralia magazine, available online in Finnish to all amateur geologists. The Finnish Gem Hobbyists’ Society also publishes their magazine Kivi, in Finnish, to their members.

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) accepts interesting and puzzling rock samples in their layman’s sample office in Kuopio, free of charge. Your sample will be analysed there to determine what rock or mineral it is, and you will receive a letter on the results. GTK also responds to rock-related questions. The layman’s sample office receives approximately 6,000 rock samples and around 1,000 rock questions annually.

Visiting geological nature destinations provides an interesting boost to travelling. Our country has hundreds of geological destinations, including countless geological nature reserves and teaching locations as well as nature trails. The Lauhanvuori – Hämeenkangas Geopark, reaching all the way to Pirkanmaa, is a beautiful geological destination with signs on the hiking trails describing how the diverse bedrock and nature were shaped after the glacial period. A myriad other destinations can be found all over Finland.

The Geological Survey of Finland publishes geological hiking maps and guides on fascinating destinations around Finland, and their rock guide Retkeilijän kiviopas (in Finnish) helps amateur geologists identify rocks and minerals. You can browse geological nature destinations and their locations in the Retkikartta.fi service.

Amateur geology and geotourism are great hobbies for people of all ages! Find and join a rock club in your area.