4.6" Sliced Olivine Crystal Filled Volcanic Bomb - Spain

Sliced Olivine Crystal Filled Volcanic Bomb - Spain #279114

This is a fascinating, 4.6" long, lemon-shaped volcanic bomb formed as an olivine crystal filled nodule surrounded by basaltic rock. It was collected from the Girona Province of Spain and is estimated as being approximately 100,000 years old. The specimen has been cut in half to exposed the olivine crystals and polished to a matte finish.

Each half of this nodule is accompanied by an acrylic display stand.

Volcanic bombs are extrusive igneous rocks formed as products of volcanic eruptions. They occur as volcanoes eject viscous fragments of lava into the air. As they fly through the air, they acquire an aerodynamic shape, bearing a variety of different appearances depending on composition (mostly basaltic), speed, and spin. In some cases, these volcanic bombs can be thrown miles away from where they originated.

The shape they obtain hardens before they hit the ground, but during their flight they may collide with other bombs, creating interesting paired volcanic bomb specimens.

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