De Ferranti Glossary: "Obsidian"

Glossary: O

Obsidian
Obsidian is a type of naturally-occurring glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava erupts from a volcano cools rapidly through the glass transition temperature and freezes without sufficient time for crystal growth. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows, where cooling of the lava is rapid. Because of the lack of crystal structure, obsidian blade edges can reach almost molecular thinness, leading to its ancient use as projectile points, and its modern use as surgical scalpel blades.