Pumice is an igneous rock with a wide range of commercial uses.
Pumice is a lightweight igneous rock found in great concentration throughout Europe and the western United States. Pumice is a product of volcanic activity, forming as lava cools. It's used as an ingredient in commercial items ranging from construction materials to household cleaning products.
Classification
Pumice is classified as an extrusive igneous rock. Igneous rocks are the products of solidified magma. The "extrusive" classification indicates that pumice cools on the earth's surface rather than underground. Pumice lacks a crystalline structure, resulting in its classification as a glass.
Texture
The magma that eventually forms pumice contains trapped gas and the cooling action that occurs after the magma erupts from a volcano allows this gas to escape. A network of holes forms within the pumice as a result.
Location
Italy provides the largest amount of pumice for commercial use and pumice is also found extensively in Greece, Chile, Spain, Turkey and the United States. California, Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon hold America's greatest pumice concentrations.
Commercial Uses
In commercial parlance, pumice refers to large, intact stones while pumicite refers to fine particles of pumice. According to the Mineral Information Institute, approximately 75 percent of pumice consumption goes into concrete manufacture. Pumicite is also a common ingredient in soaps and cleansers.
Tags: igneous rock, United States
