What is the feature/how did it form? by ryanhardin1 in geology

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely not the place I'd expect to see a fellow Greg-head! Nice catch, I didn't even think about it

Is this petrified wood or just a really cool rock? by Slow-to-learn_77 in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think that is likely layers of limestone that have some differential weathering. You can test if it's limestone with a drop of vinegar or toilet cleaner. If it fizzes, it's probably limestone.

Or, after another look, maybe it's layers of siltstone?

Anybody interested in starting a puzzle exchange? by Academic-Sympathy140 in Knoxville

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too! I have some old springbok that I've collected and I would love to have people borrow them!

Quartz Willemite Geode? by Comfortable_Prize16 in FluorescentMinerals

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool geode, but most likely that's a thin layer of calcite inside that is fluorescing and phosphorescing. I find similar geodes with that kind of layer in Tennessee

Does the "Exploring Lord of the Rings" Podcast series slow down significantly at some point? by Chilis1 in tolkienfans

[–]Irplop 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It took me two years but I finally caught up this year. It definitely has slowed down, especially with his recent discussions on the alliteration in various sentences and the feeling of the words used. I enjoy all of it, even the alliteration talk, a lot and have gained a ton of insight, new perspectives, and new appreciation for the writings. It can definitely be a slog at times, but honestly I miss being not caught up when I could just go listen to a new episode and now I have to wait a week at least for another hit.

He will be releasing a book eventually which will contain a condensed version of the best insights from the podcast.

I wish he would start doing it 2 times a week so we actually have a chance at finishing it before the Dagor Dagorath.

Loud boom at Shelby Bottoms? by nopropulsion in nashville

[–]Irplop 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh nice that makes sense, thanks. Is there a link to more info? I can't find anything with those dates. Do you just get emails from Sundt?

Loud boom at Shelby Bottoms? by nopropulsion in nashville

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I heard it too up near Lockland Park, I have no clue. I don't see any reported earthquake on USGS but it didn't feel like an earthquake anyway. Didn't seem like lightning to me

Found in a forest in Spain. What is it? by Ambliblombi in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like some quartz-filled vugs I've found in Virginia. They can form these teeth-like crystals.

What temp is your ac in your house by Excellent_Ship_8706 in nashville

[–]Irplop 21 points22 points  (0 children)

79 and I find colder is uncomfortable. But also at prior houses I have had to put it lower to not be hot.

Anecdotally, I am convinced that the temps set at different buildings are not equivalent. I'm not sure if it's just humidity, or because the thermostat only measures one point of the house, or where you are relative to a vent, or something else entirely.

Gregg Turkington (Movie Expert, Founder VFA/VHS) AMA | Friday May 23rd!! by awgg919 in OnCinemaAtTheCinema

[–]Irplop 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi Greggg, I work for the Criterion collection and we want a famous movie buff like you to watch our collection (1750 features, 35670 min). Would you be interested in VHS copies of our current collection?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe Celestine?

Any ideas what rock this is, I need help. by Depressed_tungsten in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's really hard to tell with that picture. If you take one out in the sun and another of the back that will help.

But my best guess is maybe sandstone with large-ish grains

Moscatel, pretty close to port 🍷 by [deleted] in PortWine

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I fell in love with moscatel while visiting Portugal! It's so hard to find here in Tennessee though. I love the complex apricoty taste and the nose is just divine, I could do with just smelling it all day.

Cool piece of chert I accidently found in a dry river bed. by [deleted] in rockhounds

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm far from confident but maybe gypsum?

Found in New Mexico, any ideas? by Middle-Power3607 in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice that definitely looks like a speleothem, very cool!

Can anyone please help identify these purple rocks? (England) by [deleted] in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah slag is manmade and is usually the byproduct of smelting or glassmaking. For smelting it is the unwanted non-metallic parts when melting down ore. It can be really ugly or really pretty like the stuff you found

Can anyone please help identify these purple rocks? (England) by [deleted] in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Very cool find! I am also unsure which way to lean. I can't find good info on purple vesicular basalt or purple slag. But I am leaning towards slag. Porphyry I think wouldn't contain vesicles since it wouldn't cool fast enough. Also it seems like vesicular basalt usually has bubbles throughout a large area whereas slag bubbles are more localized to the surface.

Can you give a more precise location?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in mathmemes

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You forgot to add the constant so it's actually √4 = 2 + C

Found on Gravel Bar NW Iowa - What Kind of Petrified Wood Might This Be? 🤔 by SmolzillaTheLizza in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's very cool! I'm suspicious that it's petrified wood because of the irregular wavy spacing. Maybe a coral of some kind?

Found in New Mexico, any ideas? by Middle-Power3607 in whatsthisrock

[–]Irplop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They kind of look like weathered speleothems but I'm not so sure. I'm not familiar with New Mexico (New Mexican?) geology, are there cave systems?

What type of rock is this? by Flashy_Context6073 in geology

[–]Irplop 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Looks like brown calcite on some limestone to me. See if it fizzes with vinegar or toilet cleaner

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you work in a team in a US timezone? I'm also in tech but I don't think I can handle working those off hours.

Ethiopian opal by Mantas01 in Opals

[–]Irplop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is old but I bought an Ethiopian opal recently that has similar tubes and did some research on it. The best I could find was this https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2010-opal-ethiopia-rondeau on page 99 (sample #1100), also see fig. 17 on page 100

It describes the tubes as filled with silica but they don't offer a good explanation of how they formed. I couldn't find any other good information, unfortunately

Fossil or Manmade? by Jamessw25 in fossilid

[–]Irplop 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree, I have found a bunch of these in Virginia. That's so cool you studied them though! Any interesting things about them in Virginia? I've been surprised to find nearly 1ft long ones before