Fact sheet
This forsterite marble comes from the Glenelg region, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Minerals present are calcite, dolomite, olivine (forsterite) and minor clinopyroxene (diopside), mica (phlogopite) and chlorite, with secondary serpentine in bands crossing and surrounding olivine. The lower part of the section has been stained with alizarin dye, making calcite pink but not affecting dolomite. The huge olivine grain here has a calcite inclusion which itself has inclusions of dolomite. This dolomite was probably exsolved from the calcite during cooling
A group of iCRAG members (UCC, TCD, NUIG and UCD) in partnership with The Open University have created a new collection of Irish rocks and associated learning materials for the Virtual Microscope of Earth Sciences.
The project which is entitled 'The Geoscience e-Laboratory (GeoLab): Developing Digital Teaching and Learning Resources for the Virtual Microscope' seeks to develop open access teaching resources in the form of interactive exercises and assessment rubrics for the Virtual Microscope. Find out more about the project at the GeoLab website.
The Collection was created using funding from the Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at Trinity College, Dublin, and the National Forum Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund. One sample (Merensky Reef) showcasing x-ray element maps in addition to the usual PPL/XPL/REF images was funded by Prof. Balz Kamber's MetalIntelligence EU training network grant.