Trace Element Mapping of Plagioclase

Introduction

The minerals contained in rocks record physical and chemical information from the time when the rocks were formed. Shimadzu EPMA is useful for investigating the precise chemical composition and 2-dimensional distribution of the elements in these rock-forming minerals. Here, element mapping of plagioclase in lava from Mt. Unzen volcano in Japan was carried out using a Shimadzu EPMA™ electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA-8050G, hereinafter, EPMA). As a result, it was possible to discover the microstructure in the rim part of the plagioclase. The thin-slice specimens used here were provided by Mr. Hideto Yoshida (Technical Director, Technical Division, School of Science) Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo.

February 13, 2020 GMT