Localization and
Name
a volcanic glass
called obsidian
(lapis obsidianus),
discovered in
Ethiopia by
Obsidius, a Roman
explorer.
Composition
Most obsidians have a
composition similar to  •Glassy igneous rock
rhyolite and granite. Granites
and rhyolites can form from
the same magma as obsidian
and are often geographically
associated with the obsidian.
Rarely, volcanic glasses are
found with a composition
similar to basalt and gabbro.
These glassy rocks are named
"tachylyte."
Characteristics/Description
Abundance
Obsidian is found in many
locations worldwide. It is
confined to areas of
geologically recent volcanic
activity. Obsidian older than a
few million years is rare
because the glassy rock is
rapidly destroyed or altered by
weathering, heat, or other
processes.
Classification
• Rock
•Igneous rock Significant deposits of
obsidian are found in
•Silicic volcanic glass Argentina, Canada, Chile,
•Obsidian Ecuador, Greece,
• Unclassified rock Guatemala, Hungary,
Iceland, Indonesia, Italy,
•Glassy rock
Japan, Kenya, Mexico,
•Glassy igneous rock
•Silicic volcanic glass New Zealand, Peru,
•Obsidian Russia, United States, and
many other locations
 Obsidian has a glassy lustre
 and is slightly harder than
window glass. Though obsidian
is typically jet-black in color,
the presence of hematite (iron
 oxide) produces red and brown
varieties, and the inclusion of
tiny gas bubbles may create a
golden sheen. Other types with
dark bands or mottling in gray,
green, or yellow are also
known.
Utility
Obsidian was used to
make knives, arrowheads, spear
points, scrapers, and many other
weapons and tools. Once these
discoveries were made, obsidian
quickly became the raw material
of preference for producing
almost any sharp object.