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Letter FGeology glossary

Fluorescence (Geology)

Fluorescence in geology refers to the emission of visible light by minerals when they are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Certain minerals, such as fluorite and calcite, exhibit fluorescence due to impurities or structural defects. Fluorescence is used in mineral identification and in studying the properties of rocks and minerals.

Rock fluorescing under different ultraviolet light wavelengths (fluorescence (Geology))
Fig. 1 Rock fluorescing under different ultraviolet light wavelengths (fluorescence (Geology))

Source Robbins, M. (1994). Fluorescence: Gems and Minerals Under Ultraviolet Light. Geoscience Press.

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