Basalt

Dark grey fine grained volcanic rock composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, with relatively low silica (45-52 wt %). The composition reflects an upper mantle origin. Basalt is the most common type of volcanic rock on Earth, and it erupts from mid-ocean spreading ridges and hot spots (e.g., Hawaii and Iceland). The intrusive coarsely crystalline igneous rock equivalent is called gabbro.

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Word of the Week – Drill Cuttings

Word of the Week – Drill Cuttings

Drill Cuttings Small chips of rocks (e.g., <1/8 inch or <3 mm) obtained during drilling with a rotary bit that are continuously returned to the surface by the circulation of mud....

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Word of the Week – Epidote

Word of the Week – Epidote

Epidote Alumino-silicate hydrothermal mineral having a distinctive yellow-green color that is used a mineral geothermometer, forming at temperatures above ~230°C. The first down hole...

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