Thin Sections
About Thin Sections
To geologists, thin sections are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
To geologists, thin sections are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
The Virtual Microscope Project
From the Open University in England, this nifty app lets you play with thin sections online.
From the Open University in England, this nifty app lets you play with thin sections online.
Polarizing Petrographic Microscopes
Geologist Greg McHone refurbishes these instruments and presents a wealth of authoritative detail.
Geologist Greg McHone refurbishes these instruments and presents a wealth of authoritative detail.
Splendor in Stone
A first-rate exhibit of thin sections at the New York State Museum, full of color and information.
A first-rate exhibit of thin sections at the New York State Museum, full of color and information.
Minerals Under the Microscope
An excellent introduction to mineral optics and thin-section studies, from the University of Bristol in England.
An excellent introduction to mineral optics and thin-section studies, from the University of Bristol in England.
Mineral Thin Sections
Thirty-eight common rock-forming minerals shown in thin section, at Humboldt State University, California.
Thirty-eight common rock-forming minerals shown in thin section, at Humboldt State University, California.
Rocks and Minerals Thin-Section Gallery
The Olympus Microscopy Resource Center hosts this well-annotated set of 116 slides, mostly of rocks.
The Olympus Microscopy Resource Center hosts this well-annotated set of 116 slides, mostly of rocks.
Igneous and Metamorphic Rock Thin Sections
England's Southampton Oceanography Centre hosts a 17-page set of images that toggle between crossed and uncrossed nicols.
England's Southampton Oceanography Centre hosts a 17-page set of images that toggle between crossed and uncrossed nicols.
UCLA's Mineral Thin Sections
This site, one of the first on the Web, has about 70 minerals with pictures.
This site, one of the first on the Web, has about 70 minerals with pictures.
Optical Properties of Common Minerals
A rich compendium of thin-section images, crystallographic information, and more for 27 of the most common minerals. A resource for students at Brock University.
A rich compendium of thin-section images, crystallographic information, and more for 27 of the most common minerals. A resource for students at Brock University.
Identification Table for Common Minerals in Thin Section
Steven Dutch of the University of Wisconsin maintains this helpful site with diagrams, photos and tables for many minerals. He says "the odds are at least 99 percent that what you're looking for is on this chart."
Steven Dutch of the University of Wisconsin maintains this helpful site with diagrams, photos and tables for many minerals. He says "the odds are at least 99 percent that what you're looking for is on this chart."
Thin-Section Mineral Identification Chart
Akira Ishiwatari of Kanazawa University has created this online version of his handy plastic chart, arranging minerals by axial angle and interference color. A must for professionals.
Akira Ishiwatari of Kanazawa University has created this online version of his handy plastic chart, arranging minerals by axial angle and interference color. A must for professionals.
More Links
The large Links for Mineralogists site has a page with some more specialized sites.
The large Links for Mineralogists site has a page with some more specialized sites.