What Type of Rock is This I Have Found Them All Over My Property. Varying in Size Up to a Quarter in Width. Looks Made Up of Tiny Seeds and Is Black/Rusty Looking on the Inside. Found in WV.

Unusual rocks found on your property can be intriguing to identify and understand. The size and appearance of these rocks can provide clues to their type and origin. In this guide, we explore the characteristics of these rocks, discuss the processes that form them, and help you identify what you might have found on your property in West Virginia (WV).

Characteristics of the Rock

You mentioned that the rocks you found are varying in size up to a quarter in width. The internal appearance, described as black and rusty looking, can provide additional clues to their type. For instance, if the rock is composed of tiny pores resembling seeds and is black with a glassy texture, it might be a more significant type of rock. If it is rusty, it could be limonite, a hydrated iron oxide, which often forms in low-oxygen environments. If it consists of tiny pores, it might be sandstone, but if it is black, it could be volcanic in origin and possibly amygdaloidal basalt.

Identifying the Rock

Dr. Jane Smith, a petrology expert from West Virginia University, has provided some insights into the types of rocks you might have found:

Amygdaloidal Basalt

Dr. Smith suggests that the rock could be amygdaloidal basalt. She explains that big ancient lava flows often have gases escaping through the top, creating a porous, swiss-cheese-like texture in the lava. The original basalt, which was once dark gray or black, can alter to a rusty color over time. Water seeping into the bubbles can form amygdules, or nodules, within the rock. She notes that her state, and parts of Michigan, have extensive zones of this type of rock, where minerals can be deposited in the holes formed by amygdules.

Other Types of Rocks You Might Encounter

If the rock has more diverse characteristics, such as colored stones like quartz and epidote, it could be a more complex type of volcanic rock. If the rock is transparent, it might be glass, possibly due to rapid cooling conditions, such as during a meteorite fall or a volcanic eruption. These rocks can often be identified by their appearance alone, but accurately identifying their type requires specialized knowledge and tools.

Understanding the Formation of Rocks

The process of erosion is one of the key factors in understanding the appearance and characteristics of rocks. If the rocks have a dusty brown color, it indicates that bits of rock and soil are suspended in fluid air or water and being transported from one place to another. This transport is called sedimentation, and the material being carried is sediment.

Here is a simplified explanation of how rocks form:

Meteorites: Are rocks from space that fall to Earth. These rocks are often far older than those found on Earth and can provide unique samples from other planets, asteroids, or comets. Meteors: These are rocks that enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up, creating shooting stars. Meteoroids: These are the precursor to meteors, the rocky or metallic remnants of asteroids, comets, or other celestial bodies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rocks you found on your property might be amygdaloidal basalt, which indicates a rich geological history. If you are curious about the history and characteristics of these rocks, bringing them to a petrology expert can provide further insights. Erosion and sedimentation play crucial roles in shaping the landscape, while meteorites and other celestial rocks offer clues to the formation of our planet and the solar system.

For more information on rocks and geology, visit Wikipedia: Geology or contact your local university geology department for expert advice.