| Element | % | | Oxide | % |
| O | 43.89 | | | |
| Mg | 30.42 | | MgO | 50.43 |
| Si | 19.44 | | SiO2 | 41.58 |
| Mn | 0.08 | | MnO | 0.10 |
| Fe | 5.87 | | FeO | 7.51 |
| Ni | 0.30 | | NiO | 0.38 |
|
|
|
| Sum | 100.0 | | Sum | 100.0 |
|
|  | |
| 200 µ m
| |
|
This is a reflected light micrograph of polished, carbon coated olivine crystals.
The identifying etched label, which is a feature
of our standards, is invaluable for navigating in an electron beam instrument.
Olivine is a silicate which is
formed early in the crystallization of a magma, containing major
amounts of magnesium and relatively large amounts of nickel, which
is not normally found in silicates. The olivine series of
minerals ranges from the magnesian end member, forsterite, to the
iron end member, fayalite. This is an example contains about 92%
of the forsterite end member. It is highly stable, with good
surface properties.
|