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| Ash particles from Eyjafjallajökull 2010, analysed by QEMSCAN® |
Researchers at the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), University of Exeter, UK, have examined ash samples taken on Iceland during the volcanic eruptions in 2010. Work was undertaken by Dr Gavyn Rollinson and Dr Duncan Pirrie, with samples taken by Dr Stuart Bearhop who was on fieldwork on Iceland at the time of the eruptions.
The ash sample mineralogy reflects the
geology of Iceland being dominated by
plagioclase feldspar (cyan) and other silicates (olivine, pyroxenes/amphiboles, clays) with glass phases, minor ilmenite and Ti-magnetite. Grain sizes are <30 microns, and generally <15 microns. Initial work was presented by Dr Alan Butcher of FEI at the
INQUA XVIII conference in
Bern, Switzerland, Saturday 23
rd July 2011.
The study demonstrates the value of automated mineralogy to airborne pollution and builds on previous and current work being carried out on air particulates at the Camborne School of Mines.
