[meteorite-list] Exogenic Fulgurites

From: E.L. Jones <jonee_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Dec 30 22:02:54 2005
Message-ID: <43B5F4D4.9040809_at_epix.net>

Hello Norm,

I have some of this material. It is was't especially cheap but not
unaffordable. I came upon it 5 years ago from the
finder/co-colector(?). It is a beautiful curiosity but I was given a
different origin story.

According to the finder, this came from totally encased voids in
Pliocene ( or later) lava flows where a low-viscosity, fast-flowing
lava encased standing timber. While most all trace of the timber was
burned away, there were minor amounts of charcoal recovered.

 The "drippings" are a higher quality glass that show flow. Owing to
their long fragile lengths and pristine surfaces, they had to drip
slowly and intermittenly into a sheltered void to avoid weathering. I
presume these flows dribbled into the chamber over some time period as
some stalactite-stalagmite like forms were observed in some of the
samples. As I recall there were some branch like cavities uncovered.
Each had these glass gardens. In fact they looked a lot like classic
cave formations but o evaporation was involved in their growth.

They are attractive in any event but, too many differences from
fulgurites. The forms are too smooth, too perfect a surface for a quick
lightening flash heating. These were hot for a longer time. Some were
green to yellow and remind me of Hawaiian lava tube formations ,
iridescent in some etc.

Given the cavity shapes, charcoal fragments and long fragile Pele
tear-type shapes I favor the lava flow theory of origin.

Regards,
Elton


Norm Lehrman wrote:

>List,
>
>A guy came in today with a flat of shiny black glass
>that looks identical to Wabar or Irghizite impactites.
> It has been studied and published, and was spewn from
>a monster fulgurite tube!
>
>Most dealers, curators, academics, and collectors are
>bombarded with stuff like this. I didn't believe the
>story when I heard it, but it's for real. This is the
>first described example of this and is the designated
>type locality. There has to be more somewhere.
>
>I've posted the reference info and a pic here:
>http://tektitesource.com/Exogenic%20Fulgurites.htm
>
>I'm now faced with a dilemma. Tucson is coming.
>We're hoarding our cash. But this is totally unique
>stuff. They want a lot for it. What would you do????
>
>Thanks,
>Norm
>(http://tektitesource.com)
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Received on Fri 30 Dec 2005 10:02:44 PM PST