Anthraconite Explained

Anthraconite (also spelled as anthraxonite) or stinkstone is a form of black to grey, bituminous bearing marble, calcite or limestone which produces an unpleasant odour when struck or rubbed.^{[1] [2]} It is also known as pietra fetida.^[3] It is thought to have been formed when limestone is deposited under anaerobic conditions. Some anthraconite releases enough petroleum when struck, that it may be lit. At least one locality where it is found is in the vicinity of Traverse City, Michigan.

Further reading

• 1989. "Origin and usage of the geological terms orsten, stinkstone, and anthraconite." Archives Of Natural History 16, no. 2: 191. Supplemental Index, EBSCOhost (accessed February 5, 2013).

Notes and References

1. Book: Encyclopædia Britannica: Supplement to the 4th, 5th, and 6th editions ... With preliminary dissertations on the history of the sciences .... https://books.google.com/books?id=YlcMAQAAMAAJ&dq=anthraconite&pg=PA438. 25. 1824. 438. "Mineralogy".
2. Web site: Anthraconite. mindat.org. 23 August 2017.
3. Book: Spivey, Nigel Jonathan . Etruscan Art . Thames & Hudson . New York . 1997 . 0-500-20304-0 .