Kato Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Every now and then I find something odd on the ground in the backcountry. Do not feel this is a fossil. At first glance I thought this was just some siliceous ooze with intricate folds. At second glance I noted the broken surfaces were not conchoidal as one would expect with silicate materials. It almost appears like extremely fine-grained basalt on the broken ends Specimen is 1.5" (38mm) long and 1.25" (32mm) wide. Thickness is 3/8" (8-9mm) I'll call this the top view. Primarily very dark black Bottom view has a decided reddish cast in places. Note the broken end on the left. Another broken section on the side. Small vesicles. Some strange inclusion on the left. Another exposed side section If it is igneous in origin that would be interesting because the closest igneous activity is about 70 miles away and would imply transported in by ancient peoples. Any geologic thoughts to send my way? Thank you, Kato Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandpa Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Slag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kato Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 1 minute ago, grandpa said: Slag @grandpa If close to a town or mine I could entertain that thought...no town, mine or human habitation within 3.5 miles and this was found in a very remote back canyon near a small natural spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earendil Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Bottom view bears resemblance to an ichnofossil, but that is improbable. I guess some type of extrusive Igneous rock, though how it got there is completely open for speculation. The Native Americans did highly value obsidian and pumice, which seem to be similar to this rock. "Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl; Wrecked is the ship of pearl! And every chambered cell, Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell" -From The Chambered Nautilus by Oliver Wendell Holmes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kato Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 1 hour ago, yardrockpaleo said: Bottom view bears resemblance to an ichnofossil, but that is improbable. I guess some type of extrusive Igneous rock, though how it got there is completely open for speculation. The Native Americans did highly value obsidian and pumice, which seem to be similar to this rock. @yardrockpaleo Your comments got me thinking about hawaiin lava types. Looked at aa and pahoehoe articles. This is a photo of pahoehoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabRatKing Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I agree with Kato, this is pahoehoe. (pronounced paw-ho-ie-ho-ie) as opposed to Aa (ah-ah) which is like the lava you put in your grill or flower bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now