Geofantasy

Good News for Palontologists

An Early Pliocene fossil whale has been found in Tuscany!

Dating back to the Zanclean Period, it has been found in the countryside near Orciano Pisano (Pisa). For further information (in Italian):

http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Scienze_e_Tecnologie/2007/04_Aprile/02/balena_pisano_fossile.shtml http://www.unifi.it/msn/Article115.html

Minerals - Malchite

MALACHITE

Category: Mineral
Chemical formula: Cu2CO3(OH)2
Color: Green
Crystal habit: Massive, botryoidal, stalactitic
Crystal system: Monoclinic - prismatic
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Conchoidal to splintery
Mohs Scale hardness: 3.5 - 4
Luster: Dull/vitreous in large quantities, silky in crystal form
Streak: Green
Specific gravity: 3.6 - 4

Minerals - Hematite

HEMATITE

Category: Mineral
Chemical formula: Iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3
Color: Metallic grey to earthy red
Crystal habit: Tabular to thick crystals
Crystal system: Hexagonal (rhombohedral)
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Uneven to sub-conchoidal
Mohs Scale hardness: 5.5 - 6.5
Luster: Metallic to splendent
Refractive index: Opaque
Pleochroism: None
Streak: Bright red to dark red
Specific gravity: 4.9 - 5.3

Quote of the Week

"I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to"

[Robbie Williams, Come Undone, (Escapology, 2002)]

Quote of the Week

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

(Abraham Lincoln)

Quote of the Week

I have come to the conclusion never again to think of marrying, and for this reason, I can never be satisfied with anyone who would be blockhead enough to have me.

(Abraham Lincoln)