Columnar structure


Also found in: Encyclopedia.
(Geol.) a structure consisting of more or less regular columns, usually six-sided, but sometimes with eight or more sides. The columns are often fractured transversely, with a cup joint, showing a concave surface above. This structure is characteristic of certain igneous rocks, as basalt, and is due to contraction in cooling.<- as="" at="" giant's="" causeway,="" ireland="" -="">
See under Columnar.

See also: Columnar, Structure

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.
References in classic literature ?
360) has compared the fissures by which the columnar structure seems to be determined, to the joints that traverse nearly all rocks, but which are best seen in the non-stratified masses.
This process results in the columnar structure grinding and in nucleation of the grains with different textures [14].
The results show that the coatings topography was dominated by domes and craters which were uniformly distributed over the surface, and all coatings showed a columnar structure. Damage mechanisms under microindentation and scratch depended on coatings structure and composition.
In Figure 6 (a and b) are shown the experimental measurements of the variation of the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacings as a function of distance from the metal/mold interface, the restricted region with columnar structure.
The prismatic layer takes on typical multilevel structure consisting of columnar structure on the whole, and adjacent columnar structure intersects vertically, presenting a typical crossed lamellar structure (see Figures 12(b)-12(c)).
Typical self-assembled columnar structure of the ZnO films perpendicular to the glass substrate and with a hillock surface morphology was observed.
By using the columnar structure, a gain variation of less than 1.1 dB was achieved in the azimuthal plane.
James, "Factors producing columnar structure in lavas and its occurrence near Melbourne, Australia," Journal of Geology, vol.