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  • Identifying Obsidian: Properties and Formation of Volcanic Glass
    A glassy, fine-grained extrusive rock is most likely obsidian.

    Here's why:

    * Glassy: Obsidian forms when lava cools rapidly, preventing crystals from forming. This results in a smooth, glassy texture.

    * Fine-grained: The rapid cooling doesn't allow for the formation of large crystals, resulting in a very fine-grained structure.

    * Extrusive: Obsidian is formed from lava that erupts onto the Earth's surface, making it an extrusive igneous rock.

    Other possibilities:

    While obsidian is the most common, some other glassy extrusive rocks could be:

    * Rhyolite: Can be glassy in some forms, but it usually has a more pronounced crystalline texture.

    * Tachylite: A very dark, glassy volcanic rock similar to obsidian but formed from basaltic lava.

    To confirm the identification, consider:

    * Color: Obsidian is typically black or dark brown, but can also be green, red, or iridescent.

    * Fracture: Obsidian fractures in a smooth, curved manner, often described as "conchoidal."

    * Composition: A chemical analysis can confirm the specific composition and distinguish between different types of glassy rocks.

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