5 Kinds of Glass Made by Nature

Did you know that glass can be made in nature? In this episode of SciShow, Michael Aranda shows you 5 types of amazing glass naturally produced in nature. Let's go!

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[SciShow]

Geography fail! In the section on moldavite, the star on the map is over Moldova. It should actually be over the Moldau River in the Czech Republic.

[K_i_t_t_y]

PLEASE do a whole episode about those cool glass sponges!!!!

[Zackfish]

The one thing this channel lacks is more visuals for the things they’re discussing. Sometimes what they’re talking about would be awesome to see, but all we get is text on the screen of exactly what they’re saying. I think adding more images or even video clips of what you’re talking about would take these videos to the next level!

[abbieq]

1: Obsidian (0:53)
2: Opal (2:13)
3: Tektites (4:33)
4: Fulgurite (6:23)
5: Glass Sponges (8:03)

[Naruya]

Your voice is so soothing. I've been having a lot of difficulties with my mental health lately, which makes it harder for me to sleep, and this video is helping (that's not me saying it's boring, because I do find the topic of gems fascinating, but because your voice is so relaxing, it's helping me calm down). Thank you.

[gigglysamentz]

7:12 Wow! Making metallic iron by giving electrons from a lightning strike is seriously cool! XD

[ideoformsun]

I've always loved opals. I'm glad they reached this list.

[TheDevler]

opalized fossils are probably my favorite natural occuring objects!

[CanuckMonkey]

My first thought on hearing about the glass sponges: I DESPERATELY WANT ONE OF THESE IN MY HOME!
My second thought: ...and it is all the people thinking like me who make such wonders endangered or extinct in nature. I'M A MONSTER.

[listentomerantaboutuseless]

This is a great video! it reminds me of the time hurricane sandy hit my state, during the clean up some (idiot) guy tried to cut off a branch that was leaning on a live power line and ended up severing the line itself. when it hit the pavement it melted the asphalt and now I have small pieces of asphalt glass that was left over after it was safe to go near it.

[reedkellner]

Man, Michael--your delivery is so good in this. This isn't normally a topic I would be terribly interested in, but the way you spoke about it really let me follow along and absorb the knowledge. You were giving me shades of Levar Burton and other classic knowledge-presenters...of course with your own Michael Aranda flavor, too...it was really good.

[fguy]

So Minecraft lied to us. You have to remove water from lava to get obsidian.

[sbomorse]

I love opals, never knew how they were created though. I learn something new with every video they upload, this is such a fascinating channel.

[route]

Talking about glass, could you guys talk about trinitite (nuclear glass made after the trinity nuclear tests) minerals like chernobylite and the potential for nuclear waste containment by using glass/making more inert glasses? I've watched nearly all of sci-show's episodes and love your channel. Thank you for all you guys do to bring science to the masses!

[acidsteve]

an 8 story high glass sponge? picture please

[sebastianelytron]

Did you hear about the guy who put root beer in a square glass?
He made beer.

[caroljo]

Fun fact:
One thing many people don't realize is that if you're wearing an opal ring, and you reach into a freezer, your opal can break, and sometimes even shatter. That's because of the water in them. Water expands when frozen. Opals are very fragile.

[RickySTT]

5:37 The moldavite inset doesn’t point to the Czech Republic; it points to somewhere between Odessa and Moldova.

[MrARock]

This is fascinating stuff! We really need a Crash Course: Geology to bring all these Earth Science topics and systems together!

[austinfernando]

i thought they'd mention diatoms (single cell alge with glass bodies instead of cell walls).