Week 14: Nature Made Glass Cont.

Fulgurite is another natural made glass that occurs from lightning strikes. These hollow glass tubes take the path in which lightning bolt disperses through the ground. Some of the best fulgurites are made with silica sand which is found at the beach. The reason other substances like loamy sand might not form a great fulgurite is because of the impurities like clay and silt. For more great information about this naturally made glass, visit the websites posted to this blog.

Websites

• Wikipedia: Fulgurite
• What are Fulgurites and Where can they be Found?
• Fulgurites: High-Glass Dig Where Lighting Goes to Die

Week 12: Nature Made Glass

Obsidian Glass (Volcanic Glass)

Obsidian is a fascinating igneous rock that contains the same amorphous structure as glass. It's just as sharp as glass if not sharper and very fragile. Some surgeons actually use obsidian as scalpels instead of the conventional steel scalpel. The reason for this is because the obsidian blade allows for minimal cell damage which helps with cell inflammatory response. As you go about reading links that are supplied answer the questions that go along with this lesson.

Websites
     Volcanic Rock

• Wikipedia: Obsidian
• Obsidian is Hot Stuff
• Geology Obsidian
• Obsidian Flow

Questions

1. Where can obsidian be found within the United States?
2. How is obsidian made in nature?
3. What are the chemical components needed to make obsidian?
4. How can obsidian come in other colors than black?
5. Explain how obsidian was used within the past? (provide an account of the society and how they had access to obsidian)
6. How is obsidian currently used?