Harrison Schmitt was the first and only geologist to land on the
moon. Schmitt was the Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot. Apollo 17 was
the last manned lunar landing. As LMP, it was Schmitt's job to tell
the commander, Gene Cernan, speed and elevation during the lunar
landing.
On the surface, Schmitt helped set up the experiments. After
that, they boarded the Lunar Rover and drove to explore
pre-designated spots. It was Schmitt's job to use the maps to guide
Cernan to the geologic sites. On the way, Schmitt also described
the sites he saw for the benefit of scientists at Missino
Control.
While on the Moon's surface, Schmitt collected the rock sample
designated Troctolite 76535, which has been called "without doubt
the most interesting sample returned from the Moon". Among other
distinctions, it is the central piece of evidence suggesting that
the Moon once possessed an active magnetic field. Schmitt also
found the orange soil near Shorty Crater. Orange soil is
significant because it is proof of volcanoes on the moon. The moon
has a very thick 60km crust. It has been volcanically inactive for
the last 3 billion years.