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This large, beautiful obsidian skull exhibits a process called flow banding. Take a close look at it's forehead.
Obsidian is volcanic glass that forms in lava flows that cool rapidly. That rapid cooling often produces obsidian that is homogeneous in composition. But, sometimes, microcrystals and vesicles (bubbles) are present during cooling. When the lava erupts, the viscous material is folded and deformed, falling over itself. The microcrystals and vesicles are preserved as light and dark folds or "flow banding" in the obsidian.
The skull is 23x17x13cm, and handcarved from Mexican obsidian.