1. Pyrite by-nc-sa: bonsaikiptb

2. When pyrite is struck against metal or a hard surface, it creates a spark. by: westy559 by-sa: matthewvenn

3. Pyrite is also known as fool’s gold. Gold is much softer than pyrite. by-nc-sa: wiccked by-nc-nd: Maitri Pyrite often forms a cubic crystal structure. GNU

4. Pyrite is found as a vein deposit… by-nc-nd: skylarprimm Vein pyrite may reveal the presence of other valuable minerals, such as chalcopyrite and gold. by-nc-sa: FarcePest by-nc-sa: Ron Schott

5. by-nc-sa: Steve took it …as an accessory component of igneous and metamorphic rocks… by-nc: niallkennedy by-nc-sa: Ron Schott

6. Discs of pyrite (actually marcasite) are found in sedimentary rocks. These are often crumbly, but still they are just fool’s gold! by-nc: cobalt123 by-nc-nd: courgettelawn These discs precipitate out of water saturated with iron and sulfur. …or as a replacement mineral in sedimentary rock.

7. by-nc-sa: wiccked by-nc: Subliminally Obvious Pyrite can replace organic materials, as it did in these ammonites. This is similar to the way petrified wood is made, only here the replacement material is pyrite instead of quartz.

8. In the recent past, pyrite was mined as a sulfur source for sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), an essential commodity for the chemical industry. by-nc-nd: tridymite by-nc-sa: bcostin This pyrite-rich sandstone is growing sulfur crystals. As water moves past the pyrite it takes up sulfur, and then deposits it when the rock is exposed to air.

9. Coal, a sedimentary rock, often contains pyrite. by-nc: Indiana Stan Pyrite is the major source of sulfur emissions in coal and petroleum. by-nc-sa: Ron Schott by-nc-sa: vphill

10. by-nc-sa: bcostin by-sa: savethewildup When coal is mined, the pyrite reacts with the air and water to form sulfuric acid that drains out of the mine and into creeks. The burning of coal and/or petroleum creates massive amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) which reacts with atmospheric water and oxygen to produce sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ). by-nc-nd: kh1234567890by: Little Bitty Tam

11. Sulfuric acid combines with water to create acid rain. Acid rain can damage building stones and monuments, cause a decline in natural lake systems and, in some areas, even pose a significant risk to human health. by-nc-nd: s.e.rider by-nc: trueclearlight

12. Pyrite by-nc-sa: bonsaikiptb

13. media rights Many of the photos in this presentation were obtained through Flickr and Wikipedia.FlickrWikipedia Funded by FIPSE and by the University of Minnesota. Compiled for Dr. Kent Kirkby, Department of Geology and Geophysics, by Kate Rosok, 2007. Each displayed image retains its original media rights. For educational purposes only; not to be used commercially.FIPSEUniversity of MinnesotaDr. Kent Kirkby Department of Geology and Geophysics public domain (none) © Copyright. All rights reserved by-nc-sa by by-nd by-sa by-nc-nd Creative Commons Licenses GNUGNU GNU Free Documentation LicenseGNU Free Documentation License Our notation description