3D imaging of natural volcanic ash fragments and comparison with experimentally-vesiculated volcanic glass

Volcanic particles in ash clouds can cause adverse effects on human health as well as having the potential to cause critical damage to aircraft. In order to improve understanding of the underlying causes for the damage caused by volcanic particles we examined their appearance in 3D using confocal microscopy. We present here results of 3D imaging of volcanic glass particles from two Icelandic volcanoes together with experimentally-vesiculated volcanic glass. True colour 3D images were obtained using an Olympus LEXT 3D laser scanning reflectance confocal microscope. The images show bubble structure, fracture patterns, shape morphology and characteristics of grains. Simulated fragments and bubbles compare well with real material from the Icelandic events, with similar overall bubble sizes. 3D laser confocal microscopy imaging of volcanic glass fragments helps in examining the structure of volcanic particles and hence has the potential of leading to improved understanding of their potential impact.