Event Title

Augite: Properties, Occurrence, and History

Location

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Start Date

30-4-2015 2:00 PM

End Date

30-4-2015 3:55 PM

Project Type

Poster

Description

Augite was discovered in 1792 by Abraham Gotlobb Werner, a German geologist who is famous for his theory of the history of the Earth, called Neptunism. The name augite originates from the Greek word auge or augites meaning shine or luster due to the appearance of its cleavage surfaces. It is a silicate mineral and is the most common member of the pyroxene group. Augite is a common rock-forming mineral, usually dark in color, ranging from green to black. A very widespread mineral, it is mainly found as thick, tabular crystals in igneous rocks such as gabbros, dolerites, and basalts, among other pyroxenes such as orthoclase, sanidine, labradorite, olivine, leucite, and amphiboles. In metamorphic rocks, augite is found in amphibolite, hornblende gneiss, and granulites. Although augite does not have any major commercial uses, it is sought after by collectors and is often a part of geological research.

Faculty Sponsor

Herb Wilson

Sponsoring Department

Colby College. Geology Dept.

CLAS Field of Study

Natural Sciences

Event Website

http://www.colby.edu/clas

ID

996

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Apr 30th, 2:00 PM Apr 30th, 3:55 PM

Augite: Properties, Occurrence, and History

Parker-Reed, SSWAC

Augite was discovered in 1792 by Abraham Gotlobb Werner, a German geologist who is famous for his theory of the history of the Earth, called Neptunism. The name augite originates from the Greek word auge or augites meaning shine or luster due to the appearance of its cleavage surfaces. It is a silicate mineral and is the most common member of the pyroxene group. Augite is a common rock-forming mineral, usually dark in color, ranging from green to black. A very widespread mineral, it is mainly found as thick, tabular crystals in igneous rocks such as gabbros, dolerites, and basalts, among other pyroxenes such as orthoclase, sanidine, labradorite, olivine, leucite, and amphiboles. In metamorphic rocks, augite is found in amphibolite, hornblende gneiss, and granulites. Although augite does not have any major commercial uses, it is sought after by collectors and is often a part of geological research.

https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2015/program/154