The Naked Scientists
Toggle navigation
Login
Register
Podcasts
The Naked Scientists
eLife
Naked Genetics
Naked Astronomy
In short
Naked Neuroscience
Ask! The Naked Scientists
Question of the Week
Archive
Video
SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
Articles
Science News
Features
Interviews
Answers to Science Questions
Get Naked
Donate
Do an Experiment
Science Forum
Ask a Question
About
Meet the team
Our Sponsors
Site Map
Contact us
User menu
Login
Register
Search
Home
Help
Search
Tags
Member Map
Recent Topics
Login
Register
Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences
Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology
anyone know what this is please?
« previous
next »
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
anyone know what this is please?
2 Replies
3378 Views
0 Tags
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
mia531
(OP)
First timers
9
Activity:
0%
anyone know what this is please?
«
on:
12/10/2012 14:27:50 »
This rock was found on beach ( along with hother huge pieces) in Uruguay. It is pretty hard and has a web like texture. What is it, what causes this web like texture?
Logged
CliffordK
Naked Science Forum King!
6596
Activity:
0%
Thanked: 61 times
Site Moderator
Re: anyone know what this is please?
«
Reply #1 on:
13/10/2012 02:18:31 »
It doesn't look like pumice that would have more of a bubbly texture.
So, I presume your rock has different durability/hardness, perhaps due to the way it was mineralized. The action of water has excavated out the softer components of the rock, leaving behind the harder mineral components.
Logged
Bill S
Naked Science Forum King!
3630
Activity:
0%
Thanked: 114 times
Re: anyone know what this is please?
«
Reply #2 on:
13/10/2012 13:34:59 »
Just from looking at the picture, I would guess it is the ubiquitous quartz. Unfortunately, “pretty hard” lacks the scientific precision necessary to make it really helpful.
Obviously, I don’t know what your level of geological/mineralogical knowledge is, but you are undoubtedly aware that appearance alone is an unreliable guide to identification.
If you are not already familiar with Moh’s scale, put in as much work as you can getting to know what it feels like trying to scratch known specimens with a familiar knife, or a piece of quartz.
If your knife will not scratch this specimen, or if the specimen will scratch window glass, the chances are you have quartz.
Logged
There never was nothing.
Print
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
« previous
next »
Tags:
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...