Technical term for this material structure?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a technical term for a specific type of rock formation described as having a massive, rocky structure with varying porosity and vesicle characteristics. The context includes speculative and creative applications, particularly in a SciFi narrative.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the material as a massive rocky structure that is open-cell and macro-porous at the surface, with vesicles that shrink to closed-cell and solid as depth increases.
  • Another participant suggests that the described structure could be a liquid rock with bubbles due to gas over-saturation, noting that bubbles can sort vertically before solidification.
  • A different participant proposes the term "igneous rock" as a potential descriptor, citing its association with fiery origins.
  • One suggestion is to call the structure “graded intumescent,” implying a specific classification based on its characteristics.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of referring to it as a tuff rock formation, where lower layers become compacted.
  • A final contribution introduces the concept of an aerogel, contrasting it with foam in terms of solidity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on the appropriate terminology for the described rock structure, with no consensus reached on a single term.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the exact characteristics and classifications of the rock types discussed, and there are unresolved assumptions about the geological processes involved in the formation of the described material.

Who May Find This Useful

Writers, particularly those interested in science fiction, geology enthusiasts, and individuals exploring creative descriptions of alien or unusual rock formations.

Nik_2213
Messages
1,227
Reaction score
495
A massive rocky material that is connected open-cell, macro-porous at surface, but 'vesicles' shrink to closed-cell then solid as you drill deeper: What's the technical term for such ??
==

Writing a SciFi tale, I'm trying to describe a large, alien-ish rock formation. I've a vague recollection of seeing a picture / drawing of similar terrestrial material, albeit more localised, but correct technical terminology eludes me...

The deep cliff-face material resembles monolithic black basalt, but surface is open-cell, macro-porous unto several cm diameter. The 'bubbles' shrink with depth, passing through 'sparsely connected' to smaller and smaller closed-cell vesicles, then none, diamond-cores revealing a solid mass beyond several metres.

Neither pumice nor Aaaa, their vesicles are too small, and don't seem to close at depth...

You could probably recreate the necessary topology with 3D printing...

Sorry, I began to post this query in 'Earth Sciences', then realized mentioning 'SciFi' & 'alien-ish' meant it probably belonged here.
;-)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sounds like it could be a liquid rock containing lots of bubbles due to over-saturation with gasses.
The bubbles can sort vertically before the rock solidifies, due to differences in their rate of rising in the fluid rock (larger rise faster).
I have seen rocks in Hawaii with gradients of bubbles like this, but I don't recall any that were open cell.
On the other hand, the rocks of the island (the Big Island, where fresh rocks are being made) are porous (or at least pervious), in places. Ponds (brackish) in peoples yards would go up and down with the tides.
The open cell state would require a lot of gas, or prolonged sorting of the bubbles from a large, lower region of (in the end) bubble free fluid rock, prior to solidification.
 
For choosing a name for your alien rock structure this list of rock types may be useful. I like the term igneous rock. It looks and sounds good describing fiery origins and may even be correct.
 
I would call it “graded intumescent”.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Nik_2213
Thank you !
:smile:
 
An aerogel is a type of thing. Foam has more solid.
 

Similar threads

Atomic displacements, replacements, and radiation damage of structural materials
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Admissions Could I please get critique on my SOP? (Experimental Biophysics)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Could New Materials Propel China's Industry to Bill Gates-Level Success?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
10K
Writing: Read Only What Does Great Lakes Earth Look Like from Space?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Help with orbital mechanics for an unusual alien planet
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
15K
Physics Non-academic career options for the theroetical physicist
  • · Replies 80 ·
3
Replies
80
Views
69K
Earth Day - My Contact Experience
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
Graduate How Do Various Theories Define Information Through Entropy?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
10K