Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: CliffordK on 09/01/2013 22:31:37
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Can rocks get a case of worms?
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Maybe "tubular stalactites (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_straw)" in a previous life.
A helictite is a speleothem found in limestone caves ... They are usually made of needle-form calcite and aragonite. Forms of helictites have been described in several types: ribbon helictites, saws, rods, butterflies, "hands", curly-fries, and "clumps of worms."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helictite
"Soda Straws" (tubular stalactites) and Helictites ...
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sterling-adventures.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F01%2FOgof-Ffynnon-Ddu-2-Pendulum-Passage-Helictites-220112-421-600x428.jpg&hash=4f6b78404a61eb6f18a02de98ff009a7)
http://www.sterling-adventures.co.uk/blog/2012/01/23/were-going-on-a-helictite-hunt/
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Sure that is not some really old hamburger?
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This picture of a piece of a Martian meteorite caused quite a stir when it was found in 1984.
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwhyfiles.org%2Fshorties%2Fimages%2Fmars_fos.gif&hash=aea0057d25de13677b811ecd5c84f5a3)
"Its a worm, a Martian worm!" was the cry of many. But it was later identified as being an inorganic structure.
Ah well, so much for the Martian Worm.
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I was wondering what would happen if one of the early Martian probes had found a rock like mine, with only the ability to take photos of it, and no ability for further analysis. Would NASA have built a billion dollar rocket just to retrieve the one rock?
The Martian worm rock, of course, is microscopic. The first photo above is close to real size.
I'm not sure I would call these Helictites, but they could have been formed by a similar mineral deposit growth process.
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I'm not sure I would call these Helictites, but they could have been formed by a similar mineral deposit growth process.
If it is speleothem (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speleothem) it should bubble/dissolve in acid.
[ if you're going to try that do be careful with acid, e.g. wear safety glasses ]
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Do you know what the matrix is that the worm-like structures are in. I ask this because, due to the color and the amorphous qualities of some of the matrix, perhaps it is a rock, etc. covered in amber? This could explain why some parts of the rock appear to have been living at one time. Some of the most notable parts that could be amber I have circled in red. Please note the similarities between the circled parts and the pictures I have posted. Any ideas?
2nd picture from: http://www.diamonds1000.com/1017/ (http://www.diamonds1000.com/1017/)
3rd picture from: http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread354128/pg1 (http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread354128/pg1)
Sorry that the first picture is so small- the file was too large at first. You may need to use the original for reference.
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We had always called them agates. Colors are usually translucent yellows and opaque whites.
They are often associated with petrified wood including one that my mother has that is a beautiful cast of petrified wood (I don't have a photo of that one now).
Anyway, I have wondered if it could be Amber instead. I probably won't burn the above specimen, but I may hunt down a smaller piece and try a flame test.
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I have a specimen of chalcedony that looks exactly like wax that has run down the side of a candle. If this specimen is rotated through 90 deg. there would be a similarity.