When the Volcano Erupts: A Moment Forever Frozen in Time

Year: 
2020
Ranking: 
Entrant
Artist: 
Melissa Scruggs (Graduate Student)
Department: 
Earth Science

Description

This lava from Chaos Crags shows a near replica of the Qtz-En-Ol phase diagram geologists learn in Petrology. If one magma with quartz and another with olivine mix, the minerals react to form pyroxene. This volcano erupted mid-reaction, preserving this moment where our textbook has come to life!

This image was taken using an iPhone 6s through the lens of a Leica DM750P microscope, under cross-polarized light (XPL).

CSEPSchuller LabCNSIUCSBMOXI