Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Mineral resource of the month: Pumice and pumicite

October 31, 2015

Pumice is an extrusive igneous volcanic rock formed through the rapid cooling of air-pocketed lava, which results in a low-density, high-porosity rock. Fine-grained pumice, or pumicite, is defined as minute grains, flakes, threads or shards of volcanic glass, with a size finer than 4 millimeters. 

Publication Year 2015
Title Mineral resource of the month: Pumice and pumicite
Authors Robert Crangle
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Earth
Index ID 70186704
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization National Minerals Information Center