Any Geologists here?

[KneeGusto]

My dad got a truck load of rocks from somewhere for building a water feature. I thought this one stuck out.

Was it your dad or someone that *looked* like your dad?

You know that's how it starts. "Here, son put this funky looking rock next to your bed and try to go into a deep sleep please."

I have a bad feeling about this. Water, canned food and ammo - folks. Stock up!

 

[RayShimley]

I sent it along to some geologists I know. I'll let you know if they have an answer.

 

[Mr Janny]

I know it's a long shot but could this be a meteroite? This thing is really heavy, not magnetic, but they don't have to be. Any ideas where I could get this thing tested?

Looks like you've been eating a lot of P.F. Chang, lately.

 

[Cyclonepride]

HerkyKiller this morning:

 

[isucyfan]

I'm not a geologist, but my guess is that it's some sort of volcanic rock, based on the vesicular appearance.

 

[2020cy]

I need bigger pictures to determine if it's a meteorite.

 

[colbycheese]

I'm not a geologist, but my guess is that it's some sort of volcanic rock, based on the vesicular appearance.

I am a soil scientist, but it's been about 6 or 7 years since I took geology. I would have to agree with the above statement. The holes in the rock (vesicles) are formed by gasses that escape from the cooling magma leaving round voids. It looks like that is what happened to this rock and it later filled with some other material.

 

[LonoClone]

I know it's a long shot but could this be a meteroite? This thing is really heavy, not magnetic, but they don't have to be. Any ideas where I could get this thing tested?

Judging by the pictures, and the battery that you used for scale, I've come to the conclusion that you have pretty tiny hands.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

I'm not a geologist, but my guess is that it's some sort of volcanic rock, based on the vesicular appearance.

He said it was heavy though didn't he? The closest volcanic rock it looks like is igneous, but igneous is usually much smoother and shinier, and those pockmarks aren't usually there are they?

 

[Psyclone Brian]

It is a very interesting piece... (although it does reseamble my wifes meatloaf.)

 

[2020cy]

Don't let your meatloaf. (I just love saying that)

 

[reignofthetiger]

I am a graduate student in geology. We generally don't do meteorites here at ISU, but I do know a little about them.

I thought the vesicle theory was good, but then I would say that those probably aren't volcanic vesicles, because if that were the case the rock should be lighter than normal rock. Vesicles are usually formed as air expands within a rock when it is hardening (usually due to a change in pressure during a volcanic eruption).

Meteorites don't necessarily have to be highly magnetic, it could just be a stony meteorite with a lower nickel/iron content. It does look like other meteorites I've seen, but I'd be hesitant to declare it as real without seeing it myself. If you brought it to Science I on campus during the week we could check it out.

If it does turn out to be a real meteorite (and your hands are regular-sized:smile it is pretty large and could be quite valuable. But like I said, it really hard to identify rocks from pictures.

 

[HerkyKiller]

Thanks for the info, I didnt think it looked volcanic. I've been to Hawaii where there are lava rocks all over the place. Not only are they light, but they also have tons of little holes in them. This one has big holes in it, and the holes seem to have a really hard substance in them (probably dirt). But I also noticed that the "dirt" was rusty in some areas, which led me to believe that it could possibly be metallic. I might have to bring it in (if I can find where the class is).

 

[isucyfan]

I'm still sticking with vesicular basalt:

But, like I said, I'm not a geologist, and didn't even stay in a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[HerkyKiller]

Those things are light though....haha. I'll find out what it is eventually. Right now I'm open to all ideas. I hope its a meteorite, but I know how rare they are.

 

[isucyfan]

Those things are light though....haha. I'll find out what it is eventually. Right now I'm open to all ideas. I hope its a meteorite, but I know how rare they are.

I don't think it has to be light...often the vesicles will fill with mineral matter, which can make up the lost air weight.

They are called amygdules, and doesn't this look similar to what you have?

 

[HerkyKiller]

It does look similar I have to admit.

 

[HerkyKiller]

Then I saw this....it looks metallic where I circled. There are several areas like this.

 

[Wesley]

Looks like it is from Neptune.

 

[HerkyKiller]

It's probably from uranus.