Grain-size distribution of volcaniclastic rocks 1: A new technique based on functional stereology

Jutzeler, M.; Proussevitch, A.A.; Allen, S.R.. 2012 Grain-size distribution of volcaniclastic rocks 1: A new technique based on functional stereology. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 239-240. 1-11. 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.05.013

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.05.013

Abstract/Summary

The power of explosive volcanic eruptions is reflected in the grain size distribution and dispersal of their pyroclastic deposits. Grain size also forms part of lithofacies characteristics that are necessary to determine transport and depositional mechanisms responsible for producing pyroclastic deposits. However, the common process of welding and rock lithification prevents quantification of grain size by traditional sieving methods for deposits in the rock record. Here we show that functional stereology can be used to obtain actual 3D volume fractions of clast populations from 2D cross-sectional images. Tests made on artificially consolidated rocks demonstrate successful correlations with traditional sieving method. We show that the true grain size distribution is finer grained than its representation on a random 2D section. Our method allows the original size of vesicular pumice clasts to be estimated from their compacted shapes. We anticipate that the original grain-size distribution of welded ignimbrites can also be characterized by this method. Our method using functional stereology can be universally applied to any type of consolidated, weakly to non-deformed clastic material, regardless of grain size or age and therefore has a wide application in geology.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.05.013
ISSN:	03770273
Additional Keywords:	Grain size distribution; Grain size analysis; Functional stereology; Volcaniclastic rock; Pyroclastic rock; Welded ignimbrite; Clastic rock
Date made live:	26 Jun 2014 13:20 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507589

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2012.05.013

ISSN:

03770273

Additional Keywords:

Grain size distribution; Grain size analysis; Functional stereology; Volcaniclastic rock; Pyroclastic rock; Welded ignimbrite; Clastic rock

Date made live:

26 Jun 2014 13:20 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/507589