Get a Dev_Blog on Geologist searches

In the spirit of the wonderful job done by BB_Alex using the Dev_Blogs to detail for the players the 'under the hood' workings of our explorers, and also the island landscape (building space available); I request similar detail on our geologists, specifically:

• When a geologist is sent out on a search, at what point is the requisite deposit 'locked' by that explorer? Immediately upon issuing the command, or once the search period is finished?
• At what point do additional deposits (where applicable - Conscientious Geologist or 'Lucky Find' skill) get discovered (and in the case of Lucky Find skill, when is it determined if this skill is activated?)
• If a deposit is not depleted yet is close to exhaustion, can an explorer that was sent before exhaustion find this deposit if his search completes after the deposit is available?

Thank you in advance for any input.