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Pumice
PumicePumice is a vesicular volcanic rock that is commonly light enough to float in water . It typically has a chemical composition similar to rhyolite (or its plutonic counterpart, granite ), although magma of virtually any composition can form pumice. The term vesicular refers to the presence of vesicles, or irregularly shaped cavities, that produce a sponge-like or bubbly texture and very low density in volcanic rocks. Pumice can be thought of as a volcanic foam that forms when dissolved gases expand rapidly as magma rises towards the surface and confining pressure decreases. This process is similar to the foaming that occurs when a bottle of carbonated water or soda is opened. Upon eruption, the magma surrounding the gas bubbles quickly freezes into a delicate glass framework that produces the distinctive vesicular texture and light weight of pumice. Pumice will float if most vesicle walls remain intact and form air-filled chambers. Reticulite is a type of pumice formed from basaltic magma in which most of the vesicle walls have burst to form a honeycomb-like structure of glassy threads. Because very few of the vesicle walls remain intact, reticulite will not float in water. Scoria, which is darker and heavier than but otherwise superficially similar to pumice, forms as a vesicular crust atop basaltic and andesitic lava flows. Close examination usually shows that scoria is much more crystalline than pumice—indicating a slower rate of cooling—and is composed of dark ferromagnesian minerals . It is too heavy to float in water. The liberation of dissolved gases that produces pumice is also responsible for explosive pyroclastic eruptions. Thus, pumice fragments are commonly found within deposits of volcanic ejecta known collectively as tephra, and ash-flow deposits known as tuffs. Pumice has a several commercial uses and is obtained from strip mines or open pit mines in volcanic rocks located throughout the western United States and elsewhere. It is most commonly used for garment softening (principally stone washed denim), as aggregate in lightweight cinder blocks and prefabricated concrete panels, as landscaping rock, as an abrasive, and as an inert filter material. See also Andesite; Basalt; Glass; Igneous rocks; Volcanic eruptions; Volcano |
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"Pumice." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Pumice." World of Earth Science. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800490.html "Pumice." World of Earth Science. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3437800490.html |
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pumice
pumice , volcanic glass formed by the solidification of lava that is permeated with gas bubbles. Usually found at the surface of a lava flow, it is colorless or light gray and has the general appearance of a rock froth. The viscosity of the lava, the quantity of water vapor and gas, and the rate of cooling together determine the fineness of the vesicular substance. Large amounts of gas result in a finer-grained variety known as pumicite. The chemical composition is that of granite. Coarser-grained rock, with fewer and larger air spaces, is called scoria; it is usually associated with dark-colored igneous rocks of diorite or gabbro composition. Pumice is used chiefly as an abrasive and is included in many scouring preparations. Ground pumice is also used in finishing furniture. Deposits are found in volcanic areas throughout the world. Because of its air chambers, pumice has a very low density and has been observed blowing off volcanic islands in strong winds. It usually floats and can be carried great distances by ocean currents. |
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"pumice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pumice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pumice.html "pumice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pumice.html |
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pumice
pum·ice / ˈpəməs/ • n. a very light and porous volcanic rock formed when a gas-rich froth of glassy lava solidifies rapidly. ∎ (also pumice stone) a piece of such rock or a similar substance used as an abrasive, esp. for removing hard skin. • v. [tr.] rub with pumice to smooth or clean. DERIVATIVES: pu·mi·ceous / pyoōˈmishəs; ˌpəmˈish-/ adj. |
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Cite this article
"pumice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pumice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pumice.html "pumice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pumice.html |
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pumice
pumice Extremely vesicular, frothy, natural glass, having a high (60–75%) silica content and low density. In some cases it will float on water. Usually, but not always, it is of pyroclastic origin. See also RETICULITE; and VESICLE.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pumice." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pumice." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-pumice.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "pumice." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-pumice.html |
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pumice
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"pumice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pumice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pumice.html "pumice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pumice.html |
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pumice
pumice XV. ME. pomys — OF. pomis — L. dial. pōmic-, var. of pūmex, pūmic-.
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T. F. HOAD. "pumice." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "pumice." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pumice.html T. F. HOAD. "pumice." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pumice.html |
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pumice
pumice •Alice, chalice, challis, malice, palace, Tallis
•aurora australis
•Ellis, trellis
•necklace
•aurora borealis, Baylis, digitalis, Fidelis, rayless
•ageless • aimless • keyless
•amaryllis, cilice, Dilys, fillis, Phyllis
•ribless • lidless • rimless
•kinless, sinless, winless
•lipless • witless • annus mirabilis
•annus horribilis • syphilis
•eyeless, skyless, tieless
•polis, solace, Wallace
•joyless
•Dulles, portcullis
•accomplice
•Annapolis, Indianapolis, Minneapolis
•Persepolis
•acropolis, cosmopolis, Heliopolis, megalopolis, metropolis, necropolis
•chrysalis • surplice • amice • premise
•airmiss • Amis • in extremis • Artemis
•promise
•pomace, pumice
•Salamis
•dermis, epidermis, kermis
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Cite this article
"pumice." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pumice." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pumice.html "pumice." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pumice.html |
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