Because rocks are found everywhere on Earth, most people take them for granted. However, can you imagine a world without rocks? Our landscape would look hideous! These natural resources helped form our planet and have been around since the beginning of time. According to geologists, rocks are naturally occurring substances made of different minerals fused into a solid lump. Besides being used in construction, rocks are of immense value to society. Check out these fascinating facts about rocks.
1. There Were Pet Rocks in the 1970s
In 1975, there was a popular trend of people buying and caring for pet rocks. This idea was conceived when Gary Dahl and his friends were having a drink and joking about how cheap it would be to care for a pet rock. In 1975, he brought this product to life by placing a rock in a box and writing a manual on how to take care of it. Having lots of experience in advertising, he invested heavily in marketing these rocks. He even claimed that a pet handler from Mexico trained them.
2. It’s Considered Bad Luck to Take a Rock from Hawaii
People visiting Hawaii are often warned about Pele’s curse, which claims that taking a rock from this destination will bring bad luck. This curse is enforced by law because it is illegal to take any native material, such as rocks and sand, from Hawaii. That’s because these materials are of spiritual and cultural significance to the locals.
3. Rock Balancing is Viewed as an Art
Amongst meditators, there is a form of art known as rock balancing. It entails stacking several rocks on top of each other while maintaining equilibrium. Because of how much time and effort it takes, rock balancing can be used as a form of meditation or mindfulness. It’s also known to bring immense pleasure and satisfaction.
4. There is a Bendable Rock that Defies Logic
When Itacolumite, a rock that defies the laws of physics, was discovered, it wowed everyone. It is a type of sandstone that can bend easily when cut into thin strips. The reason behind this characteristic is that Itacolumite is made out of porous sandstone. Thanks to this feature, Itacolumite is ideal for building earthquake-resistant buildings.
5. Ostriches Eat Rocks to Aid Digestion
Ostriches eat rocks and pebbles, which are then held in the gizzard to grind down food into smaller, easily digestible particles. The reason Ostriches eat rocks is because they do not have teeth that can be used to cut down food into smaller particles.
The flightless birds can swallow rocks with a diameter as big as 3.9 inches. Other animals that eat rocks for digestion include sea lions, seals, crocodiles, and alligators.
6. Earth’s Oldest Rock was Found on the Moon
It would make perfect sense if Earth’s oldest rock were found somewhere within the seven continents. On the contrary, in 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts brought back a 4-billion-year-old rock from Earth that was found lying on the moon. Scientists believe that an asteroid may have blasted this rock from Earth.
7. Glacier Ice is a Type of Rock
Because ice is a mineral, glaciers are rocks and are just like limestone. They are categorized as mono-mineral rocks, a type of rock made of only one mineral. In glaciers, the mineral being talked about is the crystalline version of water.
8. Space Rocks Sometimes Land on Earth
Occasionally, space rocks find their way to Earth in the form of meteorites or shooting stars, as they are popularly known. Because they are from foreign planets, these rocks possess unique traits. Scientists can learn more about space and the solar system by studying them.
9. There is a Rock That Can Float on Water
Contrary to popular belief, not all rocks sink in water. Some, such as pumice, are incredibly lightweight and can float in water. Pumice is made from volcanic activity and is packed with air bubbles.
10. Some Rocks Can Grow in Size
Another common misconception is that all rocks reduce in size due to weathering and erosion. Even though this applies to most types of stones, some actually grow in size instead of weathering; gypsum is an excellent example. Over time, it can grow into a giant crystal.
11. Some Rocks Contain Magnetic Properties
There are certain types of rocks known as lodestone that contain magnetic properties. These rocks are naturally magnetized and can, therefore, attract iron. If anything, the concept of magnetism was born through lodestones. This type of rock is also credited for making the first compass.
12. Plants Can Break Rocks But Your Hands Can’t
Even the strongest people on Earth can’t break rocks with their bare hands, but plants can! With time, a plant’s roots can penetrate the cracks in a rock. As the roots grow, they exert pressure on the rock and break it eventually.
13. The Chinese Gamble with Stones
For years, there has been a popular practice in China known as Stone Gambling. The participants buy an uncut jadeite, which has been weathered to the point it’s impossible to tell if there is a precious mineral inside it. They then cut the stone with the hopes of scoring a fortune.
Over the years, some people have been so lucky with stone gambling, whereas others have lost thousands of Yuan. For instance, one gambler bought an uncut jadeite worth 50,000 yuan and discovered a 20 million piece inside it. This game heavily depends on luck.