Further on Wishstone rock.

[exoscientist]

On the Habitablezone.com space bbs, a contributor named jms had earlier mentioned amygdales in regard to Opportunity rocks: <br /><br />Space Sciences <br />The term is "amygdale" <br />Posted by jms on 2/24/2004 11:49:45 AM <br />In Reply to: Pearls? posted by RobVG on 2/24/2004 9:59:06 AM <br />"a gas bubble canity subsequntly filled by mineral precipitates, especially zeolites, calcite, or quartz. Often "almond shaped" (the literal meaning of the word). <br />They sometimes form in vertical across layering...think bubbles in beer! Often form when lava is emplaced over wet ground. More common at the top of a flow. <br />All that is from my geology dictionary, I'm sure other information can be dug up. <br />BTW, When I was teaching intro labs, I used to put a basalt that contained calcite amygdales on the rock test, really confused some students to have a basalt with calcite phenocrysts!" <br />http://www.habitablezone.com/space/messages/315538.html <br /><br />I thought these might be a match for the smooth, dark inclusions seen in Wishstone by Spirit: <br /><br />Space Sciences <br />Smooth inclusions in Wishstone rock. <br />Posted by Robert Clark on 12/31/2004 7:26:56 AM <br />http://www.habitablezone.com/space/messages/363418.html <br /><br /><br />Some examples: <br /><br />http://oldweb.uwp.edu/academic/geology/fieldtrip/field_trips1_files/slide0121_image097.jpg<br /> <br />Amygdaloidal basalt. <br />http://www.soes.soton.ac.uk/resources/collection/minerals/igne-1/pages/ig19.htm <br /><br />Basalt lava (amygdaloidal) <br />htt <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>