Iron-stained Metamorphic Glacial Erratic
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Trougnouf" title="User:Trougnouf">Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer)</a> (CC BY 4.0)
Mineral NameIron-stained Metamorphic Glacial Erratic
Chemical FormulaVariable, primarily silicates with iron oxides
Mohs HardnessVariable (depends on constituent minerals)
Streak ColorReddish-brown (due to iron oxides)
CleavageNot applicable (rock aggregate, individual minerals may have cleavage)
FractureUneven to hackly
Specific GravityVariable (depends on constituent minerals, likely 2.7-3.5)
Colorsorange, reddish-brown, yellow, grey, blue, green
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityStora Sjöfallet National Park, Sweden
Mineral GroupNot applicable (rock, composed of various mineral groups, likely silicates and oxides)
Usesgeological study, scenic interest
Associated Mineralsquartz, feldspar, micas, iron oxides (e.g., goethite, hematite)
Raritycommon
Description
A large, heavily iron-stained glacial erratic displaying prominent folding patterns in shades of orange, reddish-brown, and yellow, with some grey and minor blue/green patches. Its surface is rough and weathered.
Geological Context
This is a glacial erratic, a rock transported by glacial ice and deposited far from its original bedrock source. The intense iron staining and folding suggest it is a metamorphic rock that has undergone significant weathering, likely rich in iron-bearing minerals.
