Members of the public are invited to bring their backyard fossil or rock finds to the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Museum of Geology on Wednesday, Oct. 11, for the fifth annual Rock and Fossil ID Day.

The free event will be from noon-4 p.m. at the museum, third floor of the O’Harra Building on the SD Mines campus.

Paleontology staff and trained students from the Society of Economic Geologists, Tech Geological Association and Paleo Club will study and identify specimens and be available to answer questions.

Quartz is the most common rock brought for evaluation, according to museum staff, who emphasize the importance of knowing rules regarding removal of rocks and fossils from public lands.

The Museum of Geology offers exhibits focusing on paleontology and mineralogy. For additional information visit the museum online.

Click for a map of the South Dakota Mines campus.