Before I went to work repairing tree murdering machines (I'm a tree-hugging chainsaw mechanic) I was watching a PBS show on photographing natural areas. In a Bolivian volcanic plateau the narrator referred to some igneous rocks as "petrified magma." This doesn't make sense to me; does it to you? Of course, igneous rocks are composed of magma! Duhhh!!!

Well, this is a bit out of my knowledge area, but I think you are right. According to Wikipedia, solidified magma is called igneous rock.

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff:
This doesn't make sense to me; does it to you?

Sure. That might not be the normal way to refer to it, but it makes sense.

quote:

"petrified magma."

My understanding is that magma is molten rock inside the earth. When it cools it is called igneous rock. If the magma cools inside the earth it is called intrusive (plutonic) rock. Magma that reaches the the surface before it cools is extrusive rock. If it flows from the crater it is called lava, but if it is violently ejected, it may form volcanic ash, tephra, etc.

I've never heard of petrified magma.

Following Goofy's declaration I would think that it would make sense only if magma were the original state. If, however, previously solid rock had melted it would then be magmatized petros, not petrified magma. Anybody know any vulcanologists or geologists?

I agree with you, Geoff.

The hot idea in 1215 was the Magma Carta.

quote:

The hot idea in 1215 was the Magma Carta.

Isn't that a wheelbarrow used to transport lava?

Only in Italy.

After I wrote that I realized I should have prefaced it with "In Pompeii".

Which brings up a "Jeopardy" answer and question:

A: Pompeii
Q: What do you call an Italian cheerleader's salary?

Other examples:
A: Santa Fe
Q: What do you call a gay St. Nicholas?

A: Naples
Q: If women had mammary glands on their necks, they would cover their what?

Then there's the TV network for nursing moms and their progeny, Nippleodeon. They show reruns of the old show, "Father Knows Breast."

If Haephestus had graduated with high honors, it'd be Magma Cum Laude. There, tufa the price on one.

A: Sclerotic
Q: What do you call a seductive anorexic?

Welcome, Bea!

Thank you kindly, arnie.

I'll add my welcome, too! As you see, this thread morphed from a serious one to a silly one, as is pretty common around here. Glad to see you're good at the silly stuff!