Newsletter of the Department of Mineral Sciences
Volume 5, Number 3
In this Issue
| Rocks ∙ Meteorites ∙ Gems ∙ Volcanoes ∙ Minerals |
Winter 2014
Imaging and Analysis of Artifacts
 Focus on Research:
Imaging and analysis
of artifacts
 Geologist visits area
schools
 New Acquisitions:
- Tucson Gem &
Mineral Show
A carved stone figurine (17 cm long) in the Department of Mineral Sciences’ nanoscale scanning electron microscope chamber awaits imaging and analysis. Photo by Tim Rose.
Working in the analytical laboratories in the Department of Mineral Sciences provides plenty
of challenging problems just involving geologic materials. Requests from other departments
within the museum and elsewhere are growing as the understanding spreads to other disciplines
of how our tools can be applied to an even wider variety of materials. Tim Rose has been actively involved in collaborative studies with Jane Walsh (Anthropology) of cultural artifacts
from ancient Mesoamerica. These studies used Mineral Sciences’ variable pressure field emission FEI NovaNanoSEM 600 to obtain images and non-destructive qualitative chemical analyses on uncoated whole specimens or fragments and tiny samples removed from the surface or
from deep recesses of objects. A recent collection of spectacular artifacts, which included
carved stone figurines and masks and ceramic pieces with various surface coatings, was delivered to the museum with a request to provide information as to their authenticity. The objects
were photographed, measured and placed into groups based on their apparent cultural affinity.
Initial observations were made using optical microscopy with particular attention paid to tool
marks. Very few objects showed evidence of modern tools at either the optical or SEM scale.
Chemical compositions of minerals in, and surface coatings on, stone artifacts were determined
in order to characterize the rock type and other materials. Rock types included jadeitite, serpentinite and syenite.
Page 2
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
Imaging and Analysis of Artifacts (cont.)
One group of several syenite masks were partially coated with a probable modern tan gypsum
plaster. Several ceramic artifacts of unique design have complex surface decorations. A small
cross-sectional multicolored fragment of the coating on one object was studied in detail revealing
five chemically distinct layers. Tim & Jane interpret this as original Olmec fresco paint. The results of the ongoing research indicate that the large majority of the artifacts are authentic preColumbian objects belonging to the Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan and Mezcala civilizations which
date from 1500BC to 600AD. In the first comprehensive study of the iconic stone “masks” from
Teotihuacan (100 BC to 600AD), we examined nearly 200 masks. Sampling of the artifacts was
prohibited, however silicone molds taken austensibly to study tool marks and carving methods
also removed tiny grains from deep in drill holes. Study of these grains reveal that some are very
likely residue from the original carving and polishing of the stone.
Education & Outreach
Geologist Michael Wise makes
classroom visits
During the last few months of fall
and winter, DMS geologist, Michael
Wise was extremely busy making
classroom visits to elementary
schools in the metro Washington
D.C. region. Within the Fairfax
County Public School System, Mike
visited 5th grade classes at Glen Forest, Oak Hill, Herndon, Newington
Forest, Laurel Ridge, and Halley Elementary Schools. Mike also addressed a group of 3rd and 6th grade
classes at Westbriar Elementary’s
Career Dream Day. In the District of Michael Wise shows off a large sheet of muscovite
Columbia, Mike visited and spoke to (mica) to one of the Glen Forest Elementary School 5th
an enthusiastic group of secondgrade class. Photo courtesy of Angela Ulsh.
graders at Bridges Public Charter
School. For good measures, Mike managed to squeeze in a visit to a second-grade class at Lisa
J. Mails Elementary (Murrieta, California) while he was on vacation in southern California. All
totaled Mike spoke to 36 classes—that equates to nearly 900 students!
During the classroom visits, Mike talked about
the NMNH, the Mineral & Gem Collections
and what’s it like to work at The Smithsonian.
Mike also gave presentations to all the classes
about minerals, rocks and gemstones. He introduced the students to some basic concepts
like the difference between a rock and a mineral, how minerals get their color and the importance of minerals in everyday life. Mike
brought with him a few rock and mineral specimens that the students were allowed to touch
and examine closely.
Chair of Mineral Sciences
Jeffrey Post
Newsletter Editor
Michael Wise
Dept. of Mineral Sciences
MRC 119
[email protected]
Students from Glen Forest Elementary School
get to examine volcanic rocks up close. Photo
courtesy of Angela Ulsh.
Page 3
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
New Acquisitions
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
New gem and mineral specimens recently acquired during the Tucson Gem & Mineral
Show. The top photograph is a suite of tourmalines from Mozambique. The suite consists of
six stones ranging in weight from 21.90 (peach-colored) to 45.33 (lavender-colored) carats.
These magnificent gems were a gift from David Yurman Company. Bottom left photograph is
an exquisite example of the cobalt-bearing mineral erythrite from Morocco (Specimen is 4.8
cm high). Bottom right photograph is a new occurrence of fluorapophyllite on heulandite.
(Specimen is 8.2 cm high). Both minerals are colored deep green by inclusions of the mineral
celadonite. Photos by Michael Wise.
Page 4
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
New Acquisitions (cont.)
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
The Smithsonian recently acquired during the 2015 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, a new
piece for the National Gem Collection. Award winning gem carver Sherris Cottier Shank donated her sculpture, "Southwest Sunset" to the Smithsonian at the American Gem & Trade
Association Show (AGTA). The sculpture consists of a 443 ct Ametrine (purple and yellowish
quartz from Bolivia) Sun sinking into 1407.77 cts of rose (pink) quartz (from Madagascar)
clouds. Ms. Shank has won 8 Cutting Edge awards and this sculpture was recently displayed
at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh. Photo courtesy of Sherris Shank.
In case you haven’t seen them
3
1
2
yet, a few “new” specimens have
been placed on display in the Janet
Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology,
Gems and Minerals. In our Recent
Acquisition case (located next to the
Pegmatite Section of the gallery) we
have added a very nice gold specimen from the Mockingbird mine,
California (#1); a corundum crystal
(variety ruby) from the Muzzafar
mine, Pakistan (#2); and a fabulous
matrix specimen of emerald in biotite schist from the Kagem mine,
Zambia (#3).
Page 5
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
Kudos
 At the 2014 NMNH Peer Recognition Awards Ceremony, several Mineral Sciences staff
members were recognized. Career Service awards went to Glenn MacPherson (30 years), Jeffrey Post (30 years), and Linda Welzenbach (20 years). Liz Cottrell won the Multiplicity
Award for her exemplary work as Director of the Global Volcanism Program. Liz also garnered
a Science Achievement Award for her 2013 publication entitled “Redox Heterogeneity in MidOcean Ridge Basalts as a Function of Mantle Sources”. The paper was co-authored by Katherine
Kelley (University of Rhode Island) and published in Science magazine.
Brendan McCormick has won the Geological Society of Washington's Bradley Prize for Best
Paper in 2014. Brendan’s presentation “ Ten Years of Satellite Observations Reveal Highly Variable Degassing at Anatahan Volcano, Marianas Islands” was the best talk out of about 60 this
year.
Liz Cottrell’s presentation “The Ontakesan Eruption” won the Geological Society of Washington's Great Dane Award for Best Informal Communication.
 Mineral Sciences NHRE intern Kellie Wall won best student paper at the American Geophysical Union Fall meeting. She was one of 9 student winners in the Volcanology, Geochemistry
and Petrology Section – out of hundreds of participants.
 At the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show held on February
12-15, 2015 (Tucson, AZ), the Smithsonian display
“Minerals from Western Europe: Highlights from the National Gem & Mineral Collections” was awarded the Betty
& Clayton Gibson Memorial Trophy for Best Museum Exhibit. Following the show theme “Minerals of Western
Europe”, the display featured one mineral from 28 different
European countries. Three gem pieces, a sphalerite from
Spain, smithsonite from Greece, and garnet from the Czech
Republic rounded out the award-winning display. The case
design, graphics and specimen selection was done largely
by Michael Wise and Paul Pohwat.
Page 6
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
Meetings & Abstracts
Andrews, B.J. (2014) Structure of dilute pyroclastic density currents during transport,
buoyancy reversal and liftoff.
Birner, S., Warren, J.M., Cottrell, E. & Davis, F.A. (2014) Untangling the history of
oceanic peridotites using spinel oxybarometry.
Brounce, M.N., Cottrell, E., & Kelley, K.A.
(2014) The redox budget of the Mariana subduction system.
Cardellini, C., Frigeri, A., Lehnert, K.A.,
Ash, J., McCormick, B., Chiodini, G., Fischer, T.P. & Cottrell, E. (2014) DECADE
Web Portal: integrating MaGa, EarthChem
and GVP will further our knowledge on earth
degassing.
Carey, R., Allen, S., McPhie, J., Fiske, R.S.,
& Tani, K. (2014) Submarine silicic explosive eruptions: what can submarine pyroclasts
tell us?
Cottrell, E., & Kelley, K.A.(2014) Redox
heterogeneity of the mantle inferred from
hotspots.
Davis, F.A. & Cottrell, E. (2014) Oxygen
fugacity profile of the oceanic upper mantle
and the depth of redox melting beneath ridges
(Invited).
Fauria, K., Andrews, B.J. & Manga, M.
(2014) Lab experiments probe interactions
between dilute pyroclastic density currents
and 3D barriers.
Fischer, T.P., Lehnert, K.A., Chiodini, G.,
McCormick, B., Cardellini, C., Clor, L.E. &
Cottrell, E. (2014) Towards making data
bases practical for use in the field (Invited).
Gentes, Z., Kelley, K.A., Cottrell, E. & Arculus, R.J. (2014) Near-primary oxidized
basalts from the submarine Vanuatu arc.
Grocke, S.B., de Silva, S.L., Wallace, P.J.,
Kent, A.J.R., Hervig, R.L., Andrews, B.J. &
Cottrell, E. (2014) Storage conditions of
large silicic magmatic systems: gauging melt
evolution from melt inclusions hosted in different phenocryst phases.
Jay, J., Andrews, B.J., Pritchard, M.E.,
Cooper, J., Henderson, S.T., Delgado, F.,
Biggs, J. & Ebmeier, S.K. (2014) Preparing
for routine satellite global volcano deformation observations: the Volcano Deformation database task force.
Johnson, J.B., Lyons, J.J, Andrews, B.J.,
Lees, J.M. & Phillips, B.R. (2014) Explosive
dome eruptions modulated by periodic gasdriven inflation.
Kelley, K.A., Cottrell, E., Brounce, M.N. &
Gentes, Z. (2014) Roles of magmatic oxygen
fugacity and water content in generating signatures of continental crust in the AlaskaAleutian arc.
Le Voyer, M., Kelley, K.A., Cottrell, E., &
Hauri, E.H. (2014) Undegassed carbon content from a highly depleted segment of the
Mid-Atlantic Ridge (1-5°S): evidence from
melt inclusions (Invited).
McNutt, S.R., Venzke, E.& Williams, E.R.
(2014) Volcanic lightning: update on new
global observations and constraints on source
mechanisms.
Swanson, D.A. & Fiske, R.S. (2014) Kīlauea's Upper East Rift Zone: A rift zone in
name only.
Wall, K. Davis, F.A. & Cottrell, E. (2014)
oxygen fugacity recorded by xenoliths from
Pacific oceanic islands.
Page 7
Volume 5, Number 3
Winter 2014
Meetings & Abstracts (cont.)
Tim Rose was invited to give a talk in the Conservation Studies of Heritage Materials at the
61st International Symposium and Exhibition of the American Vacuum Society (AVS) on November 13, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. The title of the talk, coauthored with Jane Walsh
was “Faces from the past: Microbeam imaging and analysis of artifacts from ancient Mesoamerica. In the talk, Tim presented imaging and analytical results from a large suite of artifacts
confiscated by Homeland Security personnel and also from stone “masks” from Teotihuacan,
Mexico. The AVS put out a press briefing about the talk which attracted the attention of a
number of media outlets including Scientific American More Science News. You can see their
coverage at: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/electron-beam-points-to-origins-ofteotihuacan-stone-faces/).
Selected Publications
Brounce, M.N., Kelley, K.A. & Cottrell, E.
(2014) Variations in Fe3+/ΣFe of Mariana arc
basalts and mantle wedge ƒO2. Journal of Petrology, 55, 2513-2536.
Bryson, K.L., Salama, F., Elsaesser, A.,
Peeters, Z., Ricco, A.J., Foing, B.H. &
Goreva, Y. (2014) First results of the ORGANIC experiment on EXPOSE-R on the
ISS. International Journal of Astrobiology,
14, 55–66.
Chaput, D.L., Hansel, C.M., Burgos, W.D.
& Santelli, C.M. (2015) Profiling microbial
communities in manganese remediation systems treating coal mine drainage. Applied and
Environmental Microbiology, doi:10.1128/
AEM.03643-14
Cutler, N.A., Chaput, D.L., Oliver, A.E. &
Viles, H.A. (2014) The spatial organisation
and microbial community structure of an epilithic biofilm. FEMS Microbiology Ecology,
doi:10.1093/femsec/fiu027
Dalou, C., Koga, K.T., Le Voyer, M. &
Shimizu, N. (2014) Contrasting partition
behavior of F and Cl during hydrous mantle
melting: implications for Cl/F signature in arc
magmas. Progress in Earth and Planetary
Science, 1(1) doi:10.1186/s40645-014-0026-1
Greenwalt, D., Rose, T., Siljestrom, S.,
Goreva, Y., Constenius, K. & Wingerath, J.
(2015) Taphonomic studies of the fossil insects of the Middle Eocene Kishenehn Formation. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica,
doi:10.4202/app.00071.2014
Harrison, S., Jaszczak, J.A., Keim, M., Rumsey, M. & Wise, M.A. (2014) Spectacular
sulfides from the Merelani tanzanite deposit,
Manyara Region, Tanzania. Mineralogical
Record, 45, 553-570.
McAdam, M.M., Sunshine, J.M., Howard,
K.T. & McCoy, T.M. (2015) Aqueous alteration on asteroids: linking the Mineralogy and
Spectroscopy of CM and CI Chondrites. Icarus, 245, 320-332.
Schaepman, M.E., Jehle, M., Hueni, A.,
D'Odorico, P., Damm, A., Weyermann, J.,
Schneider, F.D., Laurent, V., Popp, C.,
Seidel, F.C., Lenhard, K., Gege, P., Küchler,
C., Brazile, J., Kohler, P., De Vos, L.,
Meuleman, K., Meynart, R., Schläpfer, D.,
Kneubühler, M. & Itten, K.I. (2015) Advanced radiometry measurements and Earth
science applications with the Airborne Prism
Experiment (APEX). Remote Sensing of Environment, 158, 207-219.
Schrader, D.L., Connolly, H.C., Lauretta,
D.S., Zega, T.J., Davidson, J. & Domanik,
K.J. (2014) The formation and alteration of
the Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites III:
Toward understanding the genesis of ferromagnesian chondrules. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 50, 15-50.
Shaheen, R., Niles, P.B., Chong, K., Corrigan, C.M. & Thiemens, M.H. (2014) Carbonate formation events in ALH 84001 trace
the evolution of the Martian atmosphere. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
of the United States of America, 112, 336341.
Page 8
Volume 5, Number 3
Education & Outreach (cont.)
Lunchtime Q & A with Newington Forest Elementary
School students. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Nelson.
Winter 2014