Volcanic Pipe

Volcanic pipes are subterranean geological structures formed by the violent, supersonic eruption of deep-origin volcanoes. They are considered to be a type of diatreme. Volcanic pipes are composed of a deep, narrow cone of solidified magma (described as "carrot-shaped"), and are usually largely composed of one of two characteristic rock types — kimberlite or lamproite. These rocks reflect the composition of the volcanoes' deep magma sources, where the Earth is rich in magnesium. Volcanic pipes are relatively rare. They are well known as the primary source of diamonds, and are mined for this purpose. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (795x801, 331 KB) Volcanic pipe File links The following pages link to this file: Diamond User:Asbestos/Images Volcanic pipe Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (795x801, 331 KB) Volcanic pipe File links The following pages link to this file: Diamond User:Asbestos/Images Volcanic pipe Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to create or digitize it. ... Subterranean can also refer to something below the Earths surface Subterranean was an album released by Swedish heavy metal band In Flames in 1995. ... Geology (from Greek γη- (ge-, the earth) and λογος (logos, word, reason)) is the science and study of the Earth, its composition, structure, physical properties, history, and the processes that shape it. ... This page is about high speed motion of bodies such as airplanes through air or other fluids. ... Eruption redirects here. ... A Diatreme is a volcanic pipe or feature formed by a gas or volatile rich explosive magma. ... Magma is molten rock often located inside a magma chamber beneath the surface of the Earth. ... Hewn kimberlite core sample from the James Bay Lowlands region of Northern Ontario, Canada. ... Lamproite is a peralkaline volcanic rock. ... General Name, Symbol, Number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 24. ... A scattering of round-brilliant cut diamonds shows off the many reflecting facets. ...

Formation

Volcanic pipes form as the result of violent eruptions of deep-origin volcanoes. These volcanoes originate at least three times as deep as most other volcanoes, and the resulting magma that is pushed toward the surface is high in magma volatile commpounds such as water and carbon dioxide. As the body of magma rises toward the surface, the volatile compounds phase transformation transform to gasgaseous phase as pressure is reduced with decreasing depth. This sudden expansion propels the magma upward at rapid speeds, resulting in a shallow supersonic eruption. A useful analogy to this process is the uncorking of a warm or shaken bottle of champagne (beverage.

Kimberlite pipes

In kimberlite pipes, the eruption ejects a column of overlying material directly over the magma column, and does not form a large above-ground elevation as typical volcanoes do; instead, a low ring of ejecta known as a 'tuff ring forms around a bowl-shaped depression over the subterranean column of magma. Over time, the tuff ring may erode back into the bowl, leveling out the depression by filling it with washed-back ejecta.

Lamproite pipes

Lamproite pipes operate similarly to kimberlite pipes, except that the boiling water and volatile compounds contained in the magma act corrosion|corrosively on the overlying rock, resulting in a broader cone of eviscerated rock (the ejection of this rock also forms a tuff ring, like kimberlite eruptions). This broad cone is then filled with volcanic ash and materials. Finally, the degassed magma is pushed upward, filling the cone. The result is a martini-glass shaped deposit of volcanic material (both solidified magma, and ejecta) which appears mostly flat from the surface.

See also

• Udachnaya pipe, a diamond mine in Yakutia, Russia

View of the Udachnaya open pit. ...

References

• American Museum of Natural History. "The Nature of Diamonds". Retrieved March 17, 2005.
• Tilling (1985). "Volcanoes" (excerpt). United States Geological Survey: Special Interest Publication. Retrieved March 17, 2005.