[meteorite-list] Exogenic Fulgurites

[E.L. Jones]

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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