Heads up: My quick hammer swing on a creek rock went wrong

I was collecting samples near Miller Creek last weekend. Saw a smooth, gray rock that looked like limestone. I gave it a light tap with my geology hammer. It burst into a bunch of razor-sharp fragments. One piece cut my glove, and I was lucky it didn't hit my eye. From now on, I'm wearing full safety gear no matter what. Even simple rocks can be tricky to ID in the field.

3 comments

3 Comments

averymartin2d ago

Flint did that to me once, looked like a regular dark rock until my hammer turned it into knife chips. Sliced right through my jeans, had chunks flying everywhere. Ever had something like that happen?

uma_martinez2d ago

Learned to wear a full-face shield after a rock decided to disintegrate.

eva4681h ago

Always thought goggles were enough until a chip flew right past my cheek. Full shield feels extra but it's totally worth it now.