The geological museum of the University of Oulu was founded in 1969 with the aim of collecting, conserving and maintaining geological samples for university and general educational purposes and for research. The number of catalogued samples at the end of 2001 was 12296 of which about 3200 were exhibited. The collections are mainly from Fennoscandia but the mineral and rock collections in particular are of worldwide origin.


The mineral collections are exhibited according to the crystal chemical calssification whereas geological processes form the basis of the rock and ore collections. An artistically attractive assemblage of rocks and mineral used for ornaments and jewellery has been donated by Lauri Lehtola. Finnish ore deposits and rocks used in building construction are exhibited as both samples and illustrations. A detailed picture of the Finnish bedrock is given by the regional rock collection which is perhaps of greatest scientific importance among the museum collections. A small paleontological collection provides an introduction to the development of life on Earth while Quartenrnary geology is presented by sediment samples and sedimentary structures being speciality of the museum. The illustrations around the walls give an overall view of geological processes, the energy resources of the Earth. Lapland gold etc. There is also a possibility to examine microscope preparates of different rock types and diatoms under polarizing stereo microscope.