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Why Do Certain Rocks Glow Under Ultraviolet Light?
为什么某些岩石在紫外线照射下会发光？
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Some minerals like fluorite and calcite absorb invisible ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light.
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This process is called fluorescence, and it happens because electrons in the mineral jump to higher energy levels.
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When those electrons fall back down, they release energy in the form of colored light we can see.
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The specific color depends on the mineral’s chemical composition and tiny impurities inside its crystal structure.
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Not all rocks glow—only those with fluorescent elements such as uranium, manganese, or rare-earth metals.
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Scientists use UV lamps to identify minerals in fieldwork and geological surveys accurately.
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Fluorescence differs from phosphorescence because the light stops immediately when the UV source is removed.
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Even though UV light is harmful in large doses, the small amounts used for rock testing are safe.
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This natural phenomenon helps researchers understand how minerals formed deep underground over millions of years.
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Glowing rocks remind us that Earth holds many hidden optical secrets waiting to be discovered.