Deep-ocean pillow basalt main content.

Deep-ocean pillow basalt

Part of Hall of Planet Earth.

Deep-Ocean Pillow Basalt

Exhibition Text

This sample was dredged from a seafloor spreading center near Japan. The shiny black surface is glass, a product of rapid cooling of lava underwater. The white crystals in the glassy crust are plagioclase, a common mineral in most rocks.

Loaned by the Geological Survey of Japan

For Educators

Topic: Earth Science

Subtopic: Volcanoes

Keywords: Plagioclase, Ocean bottom, Volcanoes, Basalt, Mid-ocean ridges, Japan

Audience: General