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.