Particle Type

Particle is defined as a \General term, used without restriction as to shape composition or internal structure, for a separable or distinct unit in a [compound material].\ (Neuendorf et al, 2005). Unclassified solid constituent in a compound material. Note that the term particle has no size denotation as used here.

aggregate non clastic particle original
bleb original
crystalline grain original
granular particle original

accidental pyroclastic fragment original

pyroclast original

Fragment of rock generated by disruption as a direct result of volcanic action but not formed by previous activity of the magmatic system, generally derived from subvolcanic basement.

aggregate non clastic particle original

solid constituent particle original

Generic term for a non-clastic particle that is itself composed of an aggregation of particles.

axiolite original
concretionary particle original
igneous inclusion original
intrusive sheet original
nodule original
schlieren original
spherule original

amygdule original

cavity original

Cavity filled with secondary minerals, denotes that cavities are filled vesicles, thus restricted to volcanic rock.

autoclast original

granular particle original

Fragments of extrusive igneous rock formed by mechanical friction of moving lava flow, breakage of chilled lava flow rinds, or gravity crumbling of active spines and domes. Gillespie and Styles (1999) include as type of juvenile pyroclastic fragment, inconsistent with definition of pyroclastic by IUGS and BGS.

axiolite original

aggregate non clastic particle original

Elongate to irregular lense with radial aggregates of acicular and fibrous mineral coalescing along a central axis.

bioclast original

biogenic particle original

Granular sedimentary particle that is a \fragmentary piece of a shell, bone, or other hard skeletal structure of an animal, plant, or protozoan. May be fossilized or non-fossilized\. Use in situations where fossil organism can not be identified, thus 'material fossil' is inappropriate.

biogenic particle original

granular particle original

A type of granular particle formed by the physiological activities of organisms (plants, animals, protozoa) that produce body parts which subsequently are incorporated into a sediment aggregate. Contrast with nonbiogenic particle. Includes biogenic objects that are whole or fragmentary (bioclasts), can be fossilized or non-fossilized

bioclast original
coprolite original
fecal pellet original
material fossil original

bleb original

solid constituent particle original

Generic term for a small rounded particle of uncertain origin

cavity original

Constituent is empty space between particles in a compound material, generally filled with some sort of fluid. Cavity particle types can be used to describe porosity in a granular material.