Local atomic structure of Fontainebleau sandstone: Evidence for an amorphous phase?

K. L. Page, Th Proffen, S. E. McLain, T. W. Darling, J. A. TenCate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rocks are traditionally viewed as crystallite aggregates; in general the treatment of the composition and mechanical properties never includes solid noncrystalline components. Such glass-like materials are difficult to detect in small quantities by standard techniques (e.g., thin-section polarimetry, x-ray diffraction) but if they exist at critical locations (i.e. grain contacts) they could affect the behavior of rocks considerably. Neutron scattering measurements on a solid sample of Fontainebleau sandstone have shown clear evidence for the presence of an unexpected glass-like component. Atomic pair distribution function (PDF) analysis shows significant local structural deviations from pure quartz. These deviations appear as an excess of 5-10% of nearest neighbor (NN) Si-O and O-O bonds, which is consistent with a 5-10% volume fraction of vitreous silica. These measurements may provide significant information about the still-unexplained causes for the peculiar mechanics and dynamics of sedimentary rocks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-4
Number of pages4
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume31
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 28 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 3954 Mineral physics
  • 5112 Physical properties of rocks: Microstructure
  • 5199 Physical properties of rocks: General or miscellaneous
  • X ray, neutron, and electron spectroscopy and diffraction

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