What is Pumice?


Pumice is a light-colored, extremely porous igneous rock that forms during explosive volcanic eruptions. It is used as aggregate in lightweight concrete, as landscaping aggregate, and as an abrasive in a variety of industrial and consumer products. Many specimens have a high enough porosity that they can float on water until they slowly become waterlogged.

Pumice: This specimen shows the frothy vesicular texture of pumice. It has a specific gravity of less than one and will float on water. It is about five centimeters (two inches) across.

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