Sustainable preservation of rock specimens, and the necessary procedure in order to turn rock fragments collected during field study into valuable properties on education and science

Abstract

This report describes and explains the systematic procedure for preserving rock samples in the departmental museum at Yamaguchi University. The rock samples were collected during fieldwork and their preservation is important for both scientific and education purposes. The archiving process consists of the following steps: 1) sample selection and creation of a temporary record; 2) sample cleaning and cutting to size; 3) sample numbering and storing the numerical identifiers within the rock registry; 4) adding the name and locality of specimens to the rock registry; 5) sample labeling and storage; and 6) displaying the samples for viewing by both students and the general public, and establishing a database. Maintaining a sample numbering system and ensuring that sample details are entered into the registry are fundamental for the proper upkeep of a rock collection. Cutting the samples to a smaller size is important for storing them in the restricted space of a small departmental museum. Contributing to education and enabling public display of the rock samples is likely to encourage the long-term viability of the museum.