Obsidian Rock Facts
Obsidian Rock Facts
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| Interesting Obsidian Rock Facts: |
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| Different varieties of obsidian rock get their names from their appearance. |
| The appearance of obsidian is based on the chemical composition of the magma that cooled to make the rock. |
| Obsidian is also known as "nature's glass" because of its glassy appearance. |
| When obsidian breaks, the fractures are very sharp which is why it was used as tools in the Stone Age. |
| Seventy percent of obsidian rock is made of silica. |
| Obsidian can only form near active volcanoes. |
| Sometimes obsidian is erupted directly from a volcano. |
| The best obsidian is formed underground near a volcanic vent because those rocks will have limited impurities. |
| Obsidian flows are so slow that often other obsidian flows will occur on top of each other causing a streaked appearance in the obsidian rock. |
| Tiny gas bubbles that trap water are a part of every obsidian rock. |
| Although most rocks that form in the Earth's crust are very old, obsidian is rarely older than 20 million years old which is young for a rock. |
| Obsidian goes through a process called devitrification whereby it turns from glass to a rock. |
| Obsidian is commonly used during surgical procedures because it is often sharper than traditional surgical tools. |
| Obsidian is used as a gemstone in jewelry. |