Libyan Desert Glass
A material that is NOT an approved mineral species
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About Libyan Desert Glass
Name:
For the locality.
An impact glass from a strewnfield in the Western Desert of Egypt. The impact origin is disputed, however, by some scientists. The impact site has not been located yet, although there is clear evidence an impact happened (e.g., Kleinmann et al., 2001). In 2013, Kramers et al. published analyses of a small black rock and proposed it to be the remnant of a cometary nucleus fragment that impacted after incorporating gases from the atmosphere.
The major component of Libyan Desert Glass is almost pure molten silica glass, Lechatelierite.
The glass was discovered by the international scientific community in 1932, but it had been used by the Ancient Egyptians as a gemstone.
"The hottest naturally occurring silica". Bears high-temperature (>1350 °C) oscillatory zoned β-cristobalite of magmatic origin.
The major component of Libyan Desert Glass is almost pure molten silica glass, Lechatelierite.
The glass was discovered by the international scientific community in 1932, but it had been used by the Ancient Egyptians as a gemstone.
"The hottest naturally occurring silica". Bears high-temperature (>1350 °C) oscillatory zoned β-cristobalite of magmatic origin.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Libyan Desert Glass.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
39796
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:39796:6
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
1d5ac8df-2f9b-4e9c-9d10-b6050be15430
Synonyms of Libyan Desert Glass
Other Language Names for Libyan Desert Glass
German:Libysches Wüstenglas
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
4 photos of Libyan Desert Glass associated with Cristobalite | SiO2 |
2 photos of Libyan Desert Glass associated with Tektite | |
1 photo of Libyan Desert Glass associated with Petrified Wood | |
1 photo of Libyan Desert Glass associated with Oakstone | BaSO4 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Libyan Desert Glass
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-39796.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Libyan Desert Glass
Reference List:
Localities for Libyan Desert Glass
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Egypt | |
| en.wikipedia.org (n.d.) +2 other references |
Libyan Desert Glass area, New Valley Governorate, Egypt