Experimental simulation of basalt columns

Basalt columns can be simulated by the desiccation of mixtures of starch and water. This note presents photos of starch columns from laboratory experiments and summarizes results of an extended study ([Müller, G., 1998. Starch columns: analog model for basalt columns. J. Geophys. Res. 103, 15239–15253.]). Basalt cooling and starch desiccation are diffusion processes, causing contraction and cracks. Column-related crack patterns in basalt and starch are largely similar. Differences in their spatial and time scales are due to the difference in the diffusion constants which is about two orders of magnitude. Starch experiments give a few new insights into basalt-column formation.