Lineaartegurite

Lineaartegurite is a proposed class of natural glass described in a small number of rock samples that show elongated, linearly arranged glass bodies embedded in silicate matrix. The name combines a root meaning line with gurite, the term for glass formed when rock is melted and quenched rapidly. Reported examples are noted for their slender, thread- or ribbon-like shapes that align with linear features in the host rock.

Proposed formation mechanisms include rapid heating and melting of rock along straight fracture networks during tectonic slip or as energy is channeled along lineaments by extreme events such as lightning. The molten material would then be quenched rapidly by surrounding cooler rock, preserving a linear geometry.

Diagnostic features cited include a predominantly glassy texture with elongated morphologies, occasional mineral inclusions inherited from the host, and alignment parallel to fracture or foliation. Critics point out that similar appearances can be produced by other natural glasses or misidentifications, and compositional data are not yet consistent across specimens.

As of now, lineaartegurite remains controversial and is not widely recognized as a formal lithology. Only a handful of putative specimens have been described, and a formal type description or standardized criteria have not been established. Some researchers consider lineaartegurite a subtype or misidentified fulgurite or tektite.

If validated, lineaartegurite could shed light on energy localization along linear geological features and broaden understanding of rapid glass formation under tectonic or atmospheric energy input. Ongoing work focuses on documenting additional specimens and applying consistent petrographic and geochemical analyses to resolve its status.