A New Way to Measure Quartz Strength at High Pressure

This 3D X-ray tomographic image reveals the internal structure of the quartz (Arkansas novaculite) prior to deformation. The elongated shape of many voids likely reflects a pre-existing compression direction inherited from the rock’s geological history. Their distribution is important because such microstructural features can influence how the rock deforms under high pressure and temperature. High-density inclusions, shown in blue, lack a preferred orientation but are sometimes found within the voids. Credit: Medina et al. [2026]