Pumice is a textural term for a volcanic rock that is a solidified frothy lava composed of highly
microvesicular glass
pyroclastic with very thin, translucent bubble walls of
extrusive igneous rock. It is commonly, but not exclusively of
silicic or
felsic to intermediate in composition (e.g.,
rhyolitic,
dacitic,
andesite, pantellerite,
phonolite,
trachyte), but
basaltic and other compositions are known. Pumice is commonly pale in color, ranging from white, cream, blue or grey, but can be green brown or black. It forms when gases exsolving from viscous magma nucleate bubbles which cannot readily decouple from the viscous magma prior to chilling to glass. Pumice is a common product of explosive eruptions (
plinian and
ignimbrite-forming) and commonly forms zones in upper parts of silicic lavas. Pumice has an average
porosity of 90%, and initially floats on water.
There are two main forms of vesicles. Most pumice contains tubular microvesicles that can impart a silky or fibrous fabric. The elongation of the microvesicles occurs due to ductile elongation in the volcanic conduit or, in the case of pumiceous lavas, during flow. The other form of vesicles are subspherical to spherical and result from high vapor pressure during eruption.
Pumice is widely used to make lightweight concrete or insulative low-density breeze blocks. When used as an additive for cement, a fine-grained version of pumice called pozzolan is mixed with lime to form a light-weight, smooth, plaster-like concrete. This form of concrete was used as far back as Roman times.
It is also used as an abrasive, especially in polishes, pencil erasers, cosmetic exfoliants, and to produce stone-washed jeans. "Pumice stones" are often used in beauty salons during the pedicure process to remove dry and excess skin from the bottom of the foot as well as calluses. Finely ground pumice is added to some toothpastes and heavy-duty hand cleaners (such as Lava soap) as a mild abrasive.
