Bubble Sizes in Vesicular Basalt
Initial Publication Date: September 26, 2007
Summary
Students analyze vertical changes in vesicle size-frequency distributions over small distances. They cut and prepare a hand sample of vesicular basalt, creating polished parallel to horizontal slabs that can then be treated with acetate peels to produce images for digital analysis and interpretation.
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Learning Goals
- Learn simple rock-preparation techniques.
- Learn analytical and mathematical techniques.
- Learn processes of bubble growth from within basalt.
Context for Use
This activity is appropriate for undergraduate geology courses.
Description and Teaching Materials
The following materials are required:
- Hand sample of highly vesicular basalt with visually pronounced vertical variation (size and abundance) in vesicularity and large enough to be cut into several slabs
- Standard oil-bath rock saw
- Lap wheel rock polisher
- Black permanent marker
- Acetate peels
- Digital desktop scanner
- Image analysis software
References and Resources
Turflinger, J., and Drummond, C., 1996, Analysis of Bubble Sizes in Vesicular Basalt, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 44, p.22-26