I´ve red about giant crystals of feldspar and small red
gemstones of garnet in the rocks by the east coast of Sweden and really wanted
to see/photograph them. For 1.9 billion years ago, there were explosive
volcanoes there that spewed ash and lava over a shallow sea that covered the
area. Early forms of life, microorganisms, lived on the seabed, which together
built up limestone layers. Iron precipitated in the limestone and layers of
iron ore formed, something that is common throughout Bergslagen. Deep below the
volcanoes, large magma chambers have solidified into the rocks diorite and
gabbro.
After a couple of hours of driving, I arrived at the port
that was supposed to be near the place with the crystals. Then how to find them
was another question. But I had looked at Google Maps and saw a trail that I
could take and then turn off towards the coast. After a rather sweaty walk with
heavy equipment, I was able to locate the outcrops where the crystals would be.
a beautiful place with the sea right on the horizon. When darkness fell, I
could see a nice starry sky with noticeable airglow, faint northern lights in
the north and the Milky Way. After searching for the crystals with a headlamp
in the dark for a couple of hours I finally found them and solved them with the
UV lamp and the crystals fluorescent red in the dark – beautiful!!
