Heart-Shaped Glomerocryst Photomicrograph

While studying samples of lavas from the Aeolian Islands off the west coast of Italy, I came across an interesting aggregate of crystals (glomerocryst).

A photomicrograph thin section of the aggregate is featured above. Aeolian lava is studied to understand how magma forms at depth and the level of risk of its eruption. This particular glomerocryst is made of two minerals; plagioclase and pyroxene, whose chemical compositions, textures and melt inclusions help decipher just what happens in a magma chamber.

But, if you look closely at its shape, you might learn something more — that even something as hard as a rock has a heart. — Bernardo Cesare

humansofnewyork:

Our fundraiser is on the cover of Metro this morning:

“‘Thanks to the thousands of people who thought kids deserved the chance to be kids,’ said YMCA Executive Director Dordy Jourdain.”

nevver:

I want! I want! — William Blake