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Science 26 December 1969:
Vol. 166. no. 3913, pp. 1615 - 1620
DOI: 10.1126/science.166.3913.1615
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Articles

Shock and Thermal Metamorphism of Basalt by Nuclear Explosion, Nevada Test Site

Odette B. James 1

1 Branch of Astrologic Studies, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. 20242

Olivine trachybasalt metamorphosed by nuclear explosion is classified into categories of progressive metamorphism: (i) Weak. Plagioclase is microfracruree, and augite contains twin lamellae. (ii) Moderate. Plagioclase is converted to glass, amd mafic minerals show intragranular deformation (undulatory extinction, twin lamellae, and, possibly, defomation lamellae), but rock texture is preserved. (iii) Moderately strong. Plagioclase glass shows small-scale flow, mafic minerals are fractured and show intragranular deformation, and rocks contain tension fractures. (iv) Strong. Plagioclase glass is vesicular, augite is minutely fractured, and olivine is coarsely fragmented, shows moscaic extinction, distinctive lamellar structures, and is locally recrystallized. (v) Intense. Rocks are converted to inhomogeneous basaltic glass.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Lonar Lake, India: An Impact Crater in Basalt.
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Petrology of Unshocked Crystalline Rocks and Shock Effects in Lunar Rocks and Minerals.
E. C. T. Chao, E. C. T. Chao, O. B. James, J. A. Minkin, J. A. Boreman, E. D. Jackson, and C. B. Raleigh (1970)
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Shock-Wave Damage in Minerals of Lunar Rocks.
C. B. Sclar and C. B. Sclar (1970)
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