Bubble Sizes in Vesicular Basalt

Jason Turflinger and Carl Drummond

Indiana University - Purdue University Department of Geosciences

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.

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.

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

Contact the Author

Please contact drummond@smtplink.ipfw.indiana.edu with questions or suggestions.

Controlled Vocabulary Terms

Subject: Geoscience:Geology:Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology:Igneous Processes, Igneous Rocks, Geoscience:Geology:Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Special Interest: Quantitative
Quantitative Skills: Graphs, Logarithms/Exponential Functions, Models and Modeling, Problem Solving, Geometry and Trigonometry
Quantitative Skills Activity Type: Lab Activity
Topics: Solid Earth:Petrology, Petrology:Igneous Rocks , Igneous Processes
Theme: Teach the Earth:Course Topics:Petrology

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