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Photographic gallery.  Thousands of particles under the microscope.
North Jetty Ocean Shores, Washington State Under the Microscope

North Jetty Ocean Shores, Washington State

The olivines with their long axis near N/S (vertical) are now blue/green with 90 degree change in the orientation of the linear polarizing filter. If their long axis is near E/W then they are brown. The zircons (2 grains) and garnets (4 grains) show no color though the garnets are slightly pink.

Transmitted N/S Single Linear Polarizer

Definition/Function:

Significance in the Environment:

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This is a demonstration of the pleochroism of olivine.

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