Ringing Rocks - what makes them ring?

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

KZbin only shows videos to people outside of a subscriber base if the subscribers take great interest in a video. In this video I am attempting to broaden my audience to encourage views and subscriptions from those who like science. As many of my core subscribers are mostly focused on Latin and Greek at the moment, this video is unlikely to reach those most apt to enjoy it. If you are inclined, please post this video in places like Reddit, Facebook, etc., where you think others might like it. Thanks so much for your help!

[@CrisOnTheInternet]

I'm a subscriber because I felt curious about your work with Greek and Latin but as same as you I have multiple interests. The name polyMATHY hints a wide range of topics anyway, so take that advantage for this channel 🙂.

[@dasarcanaeum]

praeclare factum!

[@tomkot]

Is there a playlist for geology? More videos on this topic would be fun!

[@rabidL3M0NS]

I found it! Now subscribed!

[@pedromira08]

Speaks Latin; flies helicopters; is a fan of rockets, and is a geologist! Seriously you can only be so cool! 😄I look forward to seeing more geology and aviation content, these videos are very interesting!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

That's very nice of you. More to come!

[@toddwebb7521]

Pretty sure he beats the Dos Equis guy for the title of Most Interesting man on Earth

[@memr5690]

A true Polymath

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

Somewhere I read: "Specialization is for insects." 😀

[@IsaacofOolacile]

as soon as I saw the hat I knew I was going to learn some science, great video Luke as always

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks, Frank! 🤠

[@ForgottenHeroes]

I love your work. Not only the content is absolutely great and unique, but your voice and the way you narrate is 10/10!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

That’s terribly kind of you. Thanks!

[@osvaldoolmeda3773]

Those fun facts of geology are pretty cool!

[@redivivo]

I loved this video ahah, different from usual, but a very interesting content!

[@matthiasschulze1169]

Nice explanation. It coincides with the fact that experienced architects can identify supporting pillars of a cathedral only from the sound when struck (being stressed by the load of the construction).

[@DavidWillisSLS]

“They sawed open the living rock and then it died” So in a sense these geologists just murdered a rock?! Fantastic video as always!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Yup! Haha 🪨

[@hailarwotanaz5848]

The only other person to do that is Muhammad Ali 🤯

[@Iledomair]

love seeing you cover new topics. thank you

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks! More in this vein next week

[@victoria5488]

Yay geology hat! Geo + etymology = joy 🥰

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

🤠

[@DMAOZO]

your channel is really living up to its name here

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I’m pleased! I always intended to cover a wide range of topics. I ended up pigeon holing my channel last year, but this year I want to finally cover other topics

[@msherif428]

Geological content is always welcome! "Geology is everything in our life" or whatever my teacher used to say.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Good teacher

[@spbname8121]

Luke you are one devious devil. Figuring out that KZbin algorithm is one brain racking problem.

[@matthewkoob7600]

"I am Luke, and this is Polymathy." Extra emphasis on "Polymathy." XD By the way, what a wonderfully presented video. It's just like a professional documentary.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks so much! That’s very kind of you. I’ll do more like this. Please show it to people who might like it; KZbin won’t help me show it to others outside of my subscriber base

[@HarborLockRoad]

As a meter man, i get to walk past many frozen ponds and lakes. To me, the frozen ice " blooping" or singing is both eerie and beautiful...but always strange. I cant imagine living lakeside and having to hear that all winter!

[@cosettapessa6417]

Meter man? You like the metric system? 😆

[@dowolo]

I really enjoy the additions of the Latin and Greek roots.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I’m pleased! I’m trying to keep my subscriber base happy

[@piecaruso97]

You should continue showing us geology stuff from time to time, when you happen to be here in Naples once again there is a lot of stuff to show.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I will most definitely!

[@guidocalvo]

I always have liked hens and roosters and I find very interesting how people, depending on their mother tongue, hear the rooster’s crow in a different way; quiquiriquí in Spanish, coquicoco in Japanese, cocorico in French and so on. Maybe it would make a good subject for your channel to investigate in such phonetic madness. Cheers!

[@gustavf.6067]

One thing I would like to note about your videos is how well you level the volume between narration voice and soundtrack. Most documentary productions fail to do it, and the narrating voice is often faded under a loud soundtrack. You rock. ;)

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

This is a truly meaningful compliment. I worked hard to try to get the right balance, checking on more that one device, but I’m always concerned it won’t be right on most devices for most people. Thanks so much.

[@katam6471]

Really interesting!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks! Not many regular subscribers watch these kinds of videos yet, so please share with people you think would like it

[@MiKenning]

This is beautiful!

[@Agent_Hanu-Kai]

Awesome! Finally a look at the natural world with enough linguistics tied in to provide a clearer and truly refreshing perspective. Thanks for creating this!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

You’re very kind! Thanks for the comment

[@DianaCHewitt]

Much better Latin pronunciation than the average geology video.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I’m pleased you feel that way

[@Chris-mt4yq]

Awesome video. I think it's great you're expanding your video subject matter, it's always good to expand and keep it interesting

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks!

[@Bliringor]

Fantastico Luke, continua così

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Grazie mille!

[@lucaskanyo]

Luke, você é o mais poly que existe!!!! Deveria ter um programa de TV!

[@shellyharry8189]

absolutely fascinating! thank you!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for watching!

[@GuyFryday]

Fun stuff. Many years ago, when I was in Middle School, I sprained my ankle there - but not before enjoying the melodious minerals. #Nostalgia

[@knighthunter1791]

Luke, I'm hoping to show this to my Science teacher, to see if she can show this video in class to broaden my mates and below's knowledge in igneous rocks and the Greek and Latin language. Is it alright?

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Please do! And I hope they all share the video as well. Thanks!

[@landoonline6393]

Loving the geology content.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks!

[@guidocalvo]

Very interesting indeed. Thanks for letting us know about it.

[@urinstein1864]

I saw the silent preview of the video on mobile and was thought you were doing a Crawford impression.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I would never be so bold.

[@sowpmactavish]

A polymath geologist. And to think I thought you were only a dead languages guy when I first came on here. You just became my hero.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks! Your comment made my day

[@fabriciomanuel8775]

Fantastic video

[@lobstervortex]

very great video, love the variety!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for watching!

[@marcondespaulo]

Let's not let a rock unturned. You have a geologist subscriber here.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks very much, Paulo! Welcome 🪨

[@marcondespaulo]

@@polyMATHY_Luke came for the ancient languages, tough...

[@muhdzafri7551]

I was just watching your other videos then this popped up!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Great timing!

[@Romanophonie]

Caro, Luke. In every one of your videos, you further inspire me to become a teacher. We need more teachers like you! Grātiās, Lucius 😃.

[@Patrick.Weightman]

Crazy!! I've noticed this in the past as a child but just assumed the hammer to be ringing because the rock was extra hard or something

[@litolito1893]

Cool hat👍🏻

[@skylark7032]

Really enjoyed your video

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for watching! More geology videos are coming.

[@mfaizsyahmi]

I'm no geologist, pilot, linguist, nor polymath, but I would say anyway that these rocks have a gneiss ring to them.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Hahahahaha *excellent* geology pun.

[@StarrySGH]

My college minors were in geology & Latin (with an astronomy major) so I love your range of content!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Fantastic!

[@vde1846]

Tough I have some passing interest in geology, I did not previously know rock could be "tense." Fun!

[@juanme555]

amazing video good sir

[@pile333]

They remind me of the amazing sounding stones sculptures by the italian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Excellent

[@DavidAmster]

Thanks, Luke! Really interesting!!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for watching, David!

[@sekhmara8590]

Awesome geology lesson, thanks for the ringing rocks, they’re very cool. Like the under pressure theory as an explanation, but makes me wonder what event made them special, and put them there. Hmm, well, thanks again & nice hat!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for watching! I hope we can encourage more people to watch these videos that are outside of Latin and Greek

[@briansammond7801]

The Ringing Rocks, like many other similar formations in Pennsylvania, is probably a terminal moraine, the detritus pushed forward by a growing glacier during some past ice age, then left behind when the glacier retreated. As such, it is likely that the rocks formed elsewhere.

[@Sdude123.]

I love this channel

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you appreciate the variety I intend to place here

[@ErickeTR]

When I was a kid, me and my friends would ring at some rocks like these and imitate that scene of the dwarves singing and mining from Disney's Snow White. That was an awesome video, I've never thought about why they made that noise.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks!

[@GarrettX001]

Hey I live in Pennsylvania. Cool.

[@zacharyconner9319]

Dude seriously, you rock.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

🪨

[@reluctantbias8508]

I'm currently doing my PhD on geology. Nice to see you are also a rock lover, or should I say, lithophile!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I am indeed! I think granite looks delicious and I would take a bite out of it if I could haha

[@andrewstroud782]

Nicely done! FYI you might want to read the comments in the TALK tab for the Ringing Rocks Wikipedia page. Most of my research on them is not yet published, but I wanted to at least present some of the basic concepts.

[@moisessanchez8099]

Woooow is so cool! Specially because even though it can be compared with the strings of a Guitar or maybe more accurately with a Xylophone or a Drum, I would have never imagined that that was the answer, the fact that the Rock itself has the necessary tension to vibrate. AWESOME.

[@dscarson1]

OK, I am now totally amazed by your awesomeness! Just when I had come to realize what a great linguist you are, it turns out you are also a great natural philosopher as well! Excellent content excellently produced, sir! Keep up the good work!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Very kind, sir! Thanks for commenting. More like this coming soon

[@TwistedTiara]

Just seen one in Scotland about 10 miles from Ballater, it lays at the side of a road with a small carpark there also if anyone wants to visit. It's unreal and amazing.

[@faryafaraji]

Props for how concisely you delivered the information! I wonder how much of a tonal range the rocks cover. Most sounded similarly high pitched; but I wonder if the rocks as a collection can cover the range of an octave or even more. Also, if we manage to pinpoint the variables that define the pitch of each rock, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that, by changing one of these physical variables, one could technically "tune" each rock, the way you can tune strings. Might it be possible to physically tune one these rocks to a pitch perfect C note haha? Probably unlikely but it's an amusing thought to imagine a xylophone built out of a perfectly tuned sequence of these rocks

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

With those rocks, I don't know, but there are musical instruments made of tuned slabs of stone. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithophone

[@c.a.norwood34]

Kitten anatomy just as we’re getting to it in LLPSI, an excellent, intriguing review of a dozen terms and topics we covered last semester in earth science...are you spying on my academy? LOL This will be such a fun “field trip” for that class. 😁 Thank you!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Oh great! Let me know if they enjoy it

[@cleon_teunissen]

In dutch the name for the type of fired brick that is used to for pavement of streets is 'klinker', because when you tap them together the sound isn't a dull thud, but it has a ring to it. My understanding is that part of the quality assessment of a batch of bricks is how they sound when tapping them with a hammer. The process of brick firing is more efficient when scaled up, so that was early industrialization. But the bigger the scale the more intricate it is to hit and maintain the right temperature. Not hot enough and the bricks aren't durable enough, too hot and the bricks vitrify/distort; very little margin. Presumably, every time a batch of bricks had cooled down enough to be tested there was that moment of truth: is this a batch of 'klinkers', or is it a batch of duds. LATER EDIT (in response to comment by Meevious) When I wrote 'vitrify/distort' my assumption was that the word 'vitrification' is used when the product has come close enough to melting temperature (or fired at too long a duration) that distortion occurs. I now understand that 'vitrification' is used to refer to reduction of porosity and increase of density, such that the product is more durable, and less permeable to water.

[@katam6471]

Interesting! In Swedish 'klinkers' is the word for floor tiles. I've always thought it was such a strange word, but for some reason I've never checked the etymology. I'm glad to have been enlightened!

[@cleon_teunissen]

@@Meevious Thank you for the information. I have proceeded to read up on how the word 'vitrification' is used in ceramics/pottery. Yeah, larger scale isn't necessarily more intricate. What was on my mind is that with bigger batches the stakes are higher. To my knowledge: brick firing moved to industrial scale way before kiln-usable temperature sensing technology was available. When I visited a 19th century industrial brick factory (decommisioned, made safe for visits), I was in awe of the skill level required for the firing process to go right.

[@elliotjaffe8356]

I love this idea of science explainers that dive into the etymology of key words - I happen to be doing the same type of thing though written not video

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Wonderful! Yes, when I started studying geology, I already knew Greek and Latin, which made it a lot easier for me

[@elliotjaffe8356]

@@polyMATHY_Luke Yeah, I'm convinced that a lot of people would be more scientifically engaged if the terminology didn't seem so off-putting. It's important to be precise and unambiguous, but teaching people to dissect the words really makes it more approachable!

[@jcz_m]

Just found out an area near where I grew up (apparently the granite structures on Dartmoor) has some such rocks! I'll be sure to bring a hammer next time I'm back...

[@CalloohCalley]

Loved the video. I just gotta say, you look very good with facial hair. Haha! Keep doing what you love to do, man. You're killin it.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks!

[@intiorozco5063]

The compressive stresses explanation seems to make a lot of sense. I immediately thought of how flint can ring like crystal if the rock is pristine and has no cracks in it.

[@t_nels]

Oooooh, LOVE 🤎

[@bruno-bnvm]

Cool. You are like the National Geographic

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Very kind

[@rayres1074]

Quite interesting to see a phonolite field out of all things! The low level of weathering is also staggeringly enviable. Just one thing though, diabase and phonolites really aren't the same thing - the first has a good amount of iron and the latter has an uncanny defficience on silica creating some weird minerals called feldspathoids. Given the geological context I would argue those are indeed diabase boulders, although I hadn't a clue they rung that loudly. Or maybe they are indeed out-of-place phonolites - who knows. Also, on the topic of weathering, heavily weathered phonolites still retain their sound (so long you get a fresh outcrop).

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Fascinating. Yeah, it’s possible the terms have received clarification over the generations. The geologists I knew doing research here used the terms synonymously. Lumpers and splitters, as they say

[@TheStickCollector]

Cool

[@dernamenlose5067]

Do you know the tridentine mass. It's the traditional catholic mass which is celebrated in the Latin language. It is already today celebrated in a lot of cities. It is really interesting to visit because it is over 1000years orld and especially for people like you who can speak and understand this language.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I know it

[@howardanon7433]

Cool video dude

[@Bunnokazooie]

Greetings from Delco!

[@robj7188]

Ah però. Anche speleologo sei? Che meravigliosi luoghi. Good work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️👋🏻

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Grazie! Solo geologo

[@robj7188]

@@polyMATHY_Luke 👍👍👋🏻👋🏻

[@maximilianolimamoreira5002]

nice hat, Luke, you are looking like Indiana Jones, or crocodile Dundee.

[@marodrey]

Please call The Phantom, singing rocks, speaking drums! Beautiful chapter. I'm going to be looking into Latin names for precious rocks! Have you dedicated a chapter to ancient descriptions of historical jewelry? Thank you Luke!!!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks, Mani! I haven’t done that yet, but it’s a good idea

[@marodrey]

@@polyMATHY_Luke ,🤩

[@strangelylookingperson]

My uncle, of the best traditions, When being almost deceased, Forced men to treat him with distinction, Which was the best of his ideas. Yes, his example - to us for learning, But, Heavens, how it is boring To sit with him all day and night, Not having right to step aside! What a deplorable deception To entertain the man, half-dead, To fix a pillow in his bed, To give him drugs with sad attention, To sigh and think in deeps of heart: When will the deuce take you apart?

[@weirdlanguageguy]

I like learning about tectonics and geology. its like a billions year old, planet sized jigsaw puzzle

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Jigsaw is right! Look into structural geology. It's a nightmare haha

[@pepintheshort7913]

This ringing rock field is in Bucks county. There’s another somewhat close by in Pottstown, PA. And I’m so upset I didn’t take my niece to see it when her and my brother and sister-in-law visited last.

[@cosettapessa6417]

And don’t worry there’ll be latin and greek. Pheewww i was worried.

[@Cyclonus2377]

You could literally make music from those rocks 🪨🔨🎵🪨🔨🎶

[@andypappy945]

It means the rocks are without internal defect- striking their fundamental, same as a bell. Marble is struck the same by sculptors to pretesy fine white marble before embarking on their David. Also works for violin and string instrument wood. And road train tyres in Australian big rigs

[@deathisdeadd]

man, all this time, you are (kinda) local from me? i am from the lehigh valley! wow, what a small world

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Awesome!

[@shelleyoxenhorn833]

Ringing rock park. Pennsylvania USA

[@nd493]

Reminds me of moving rocks. They appear to move on their across the desert.

[@GrandeSalvatore96]

Bro I knew you were from Bucks but now you hitting too close to home with your vids 🤣

[@mytube001]

As a former geology student, this made me happy! But Luke not wearing safety glasses when hammering away like that made me uneasy... A wayward splinter can easily cut through the eye.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Safety is always the best policy. Still, diabase has very indistinct cleavage and has pretty high hardness, and hammering on these babies since I was, well, a baby, like some of the kids you see in the background, I’ve never actually seen any chips flying off. However, I recommend a good piece of advice.

[@michelefrau6072]

Lovely people of this channel, please take a look to the job of the artist Pinuccio Sciola and his "sound stones", sadly he's no more with us

[@katam6471]

Thanks for the tip, that's amazing!

[@jaybrodell1959]

A blast from the past. I remember Ivan Sanderson, the mystery hunter, writing about these rocks in pulp magazines back in the 1950s. He also included the rocks in one chapter of one of his books. Of course he suggested a more mysterious origin for the ringing not closely connected with reality.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

That's fascinating, I had no idea

[@jonadams8841]

Who woulda thunk a language guy would know something about geology? Love ringing rocks

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I’m actually a geology guy, who happens to know a few things about language

[@ZupTepi]

This is cool! Is this diabase rock as hard as granite? In Sardinia we have some granite instrument sculptures, made by Pinuccio Sciola, that can be played. But they've been carved on purpose. These ones are not!

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks! Diabase is 4.6-6.21 on Mohs Hardness Scale, and granite is 5-7, so yes it’s comparable

[@noemibuchinger1092]

what piece is being played in the outro? i can't stop listening to it!! :)

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

I’m glad you like it! It’s Mozart; check the description

[@izzybeingbusy590]

I was watching this video because I went mining and took home 2 rocks with me because they both make this same exact ringing sound and I'm not sure why. None of the other rocks there made ringing sounds. Another weird thing about it was that they were impossible to break with a pickaxe but all the other rocks broke easily. What do you think they could be?

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Wow! I really have no idea without being able to inspect them with a hand lens. That’s cool though!

[@Filippo5]

Hi Luke, this might be a bit off topic, but I was wondering if you might be interested in commenting the greek pronunciation in the Epic History Tv's video: Alexander the Great IN ANCIENT GREEK! I love the interpretation of the voice actor, but I'm not so sure about the pronunciation. Anyway, love your channel ♥

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Thanks for the suggestion! As I recall, they’re just Greeks speaking plain Modern Greek

[@johnkar9657]

You are a Polypragmon! (Πολυπράγμων)

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Very kind! Nice term, I hadn’t heard it before

[@c567591]

So they are like stone versions of Prince Rupert's Drops in a sense?

[@garychisholm2174]

My goodness you've eclectic interests; a combination of Irving Finkel Scott Manley & Maverick. What other channel would anyone need?

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

That’s terribly kind. I could only aspire.

[@joaofarias6473]

👌👌👌

[@pauledwards3055]

From seismographs left by the Apollo program they have found that after an impact the moon “rings” for hours. As it is composed of the same igneous rocks I wonder if this is the same phenomena.

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Quite so! The reverberations on the Moon are akin to seismic effects on the Earth, which also can travel around the globe a few times

[@jonadams8841]

Hey Luke! Can you help? I was attempting (badly) to say the phrase “dogs not welcome” (like “persona non grata”) and thought that it should be “canes non grati” is that right? I feel like Brian when the Centurion lectured him…

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Excellent work

[@brandonholt6717]

The intro reminded me of intro for the pbs series with Nick Zentner…

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Very kind! Thanks

[@brandonholt6717]

@@polyMATHY_Luke no problem, haha! Nick is my favorite geology KZbinr and I had a moment of excitement thinking you might have been inspired by some of those videos. Anyways, fun topic and great job!

[@wsfree1]

Salvē Lucius! Unde possum quod petasum?

[@polyMATHY_Luke]

Māter eum mihi dōnō dedit abhinc plus decem annīs. Sed Austrāliānum esse crēdeō

[@wsfree1]

@@polyMATHY_Luke Gratias tibi ago, Lucius.

[@MrTangent]

Fascinating. I would love to visit. And bang some rocks. :)