Icelandite Mid-Atlantic Ridge Pingvellir Iceland [77165]

Icelandite is a specific sub-variety of andesite, a volcanic rock associated with basalt. This specimen was collected at the Mid-Atlantic ridge on land that runs through Iceland at Þingvellir, Iceland.

Iceland is a place of geological significance as it is located in the rift valley where the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is best displayed. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is primarily a submarine ridge situated on the Atlantic Ocean floor. It is part of a multiple ocean ridge system (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans) that sprawls some 52,000 miles and looks like a baseball's seam wrapped around the Earth. Only about 10% of this impressive submarine ridge mountain system can be viewed on land.

Icelandite is a variety of intermediate volcanic rock containing phenocrysts of andesine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, pigeonite, and, less commonly, olivine in a groundmass of the same minerals. It differs chemically from typical orogenic andesite in being poorer in aluminum and richer in iron.

Icelandite was once described as being the "closest thing on Earth to the rocks found at the (Mars) Pathfinder landing site."

Specimen Size: 42mm L X 32mm W X 12mm D

The specimen ships in its display case (shown), Certificate of Authenticity, information, tag, and tag stand. The wooden display stand and photo cube are not included.

Legally collected in 1998 by a geologist. Obtained from a scientific estate collection in 2002.

This scientific material is Guaranteed Authentic. It was professionally and legally collected and arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity.