Liesegang Phenomenon in a Granite Panel

February 21, 2017

Liesegang-phenomenon (4)

Photographer: Dale Chadwick
Summary Author: Dale Chadwick

This photo of a granite panel (left photo) in a walk-in shower appears to demonstrate the Liesegang phenomenon. This phenomenon was described more than a century ago and was of intense interest to scientists in many different fields early in the 20th century. Note the dark area across the bottom of the left image, a xenolith, about 6 in (15 cm) across, just above the tiling. Above this area, there are at least three linear arcs that are slightly darker than their background. They're roughly marked on the photo at right. Some of the molecules from the darker area must have diffused into the granite while it was in a molten state and reacted with it to form the arcs or rings. The panel used in the shower was cut out from a piece of granite containing a much larger diffusion region. Photo taken on January 11, 2017.

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