Geology

Quartz is only the most common mineral on the Earth's surface. (JJ Harrison) — Have you ever wondered which mineral is the most abundant? There is more than one right answer to the question, depending on the context of the question and how picky you want to get about the answer. Here’s a look at the contenders for the title of Most Common Mineral: […]

What Is the Most Common Mineral? Probably not What You ...

This entry was posted on September 14, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 1, 2017)

This wax model volcano illustrates many of the processes that occur in real volcanoes. — This wax and sand volcano is a realistic model volcano that is easy to make and erupts much like a real volcano. The volcano is extremely simple to make and interesting to watch. Wax “lava” forms a volcano in sand, eventually erupting into the atmosphere, which is water in this […]

Wax Volcano Demonstration – A Realistic Model Volcano

This entry was posted on September 9, 2017 by Anne Helmenstine

Under certain conditions, ice can spontaneously crystallize into shards. This is called ice chandeliering. (photo credit: greg westfall) — Minnesota resident Nadalie Thomas captured an incredible video of a phenomenon called an ice chandelier or ice chandeliering, where ice on the frozen lake crystallizes into sparkling shards, accompanied by a sound like breaking glass. The crystallization continues, producing piles of ice shards. So, how does it work? There are […]

How Chandelier Ice or Ice ‘Chandeliering’ Works

This entry was posted on October 25, 2015 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on February 29, 2016)

Gemstone Wordsearch — Wordsearch puzzles are always fun. This gemstone wordsearch puzzle adds to the fun with the names of 31 different gemstones. The gemstone names can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Click the image to view the full-sized puzzle or download the PDF to print yourself a copy. If you need a […]

31 Flavors of Gemstone Wordsearch Puzzle

This entry was posted on May 20, 2015 by Todd Helmenstine

Rough Ethiopian Opal (Kolekcja - Lech Darski) — Before they are cut and polished into gems, birthstones are natural crystals. Take a look at examples of each of the beautiful birthstone minerals: January Birthstone – Garnet [Chemical Formula X3Y2(SiO4)3] Color: any, but birthstone is usually red Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5 Crystal Habit: Cubic or Rhombic Dodecahedron The traditional […]

Birthstone Minerals – Chemical Formula and Appearance

This entry was posted on May 18, 2015 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on October 27, 2017)

Pu'u 'O'o, a Hawaiian volcanic cone (G.E. Ulrich - pubs.usgs) — You know you can make a baking soda and vinegar volcano to simulate a volcanic eruption or you can use other ingredients like yeast and peroxide or citric acid and baking soda, but have you considered how the cooking of a souffle is a volcano simulation? While the bubbles formed […]

Bake a Chocolate Volcano Souffle to Model a Real Volcano

This entry was posted on March 13, 2015 by Anne Helmenstine (updated on August 31, 2017)