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ShapeCalc - 2D-3D shape projection tool and underlying database of 2D width/length distributions

Publisher
British Geological Survey (BGS)
Updated
13 August 2026
Topic
Not set
Licence
Not set

Summary

ShapeCalc is an Excel-based tool that uses 2D crystal intersection widths and lengths to estimate 3D crystal shape. ShapeCalc provides 3D (S:I:L) shape estimates for 2D width-length (w-l) input data. Best estimates are found by comparing the sample w/l distribution with 2618 model w/l distributions covering shapes from 1:1:1 to 1:20:20. Model w/l distributions are obtained by 20000 random sections of a given model shape using the CSDCorrections algorithm (Higgins, 2000). For each model shape, the 20000 w/l datapoints are binned into 25 bins with w/l increments of 0.04. Binned distributions for all 2618 models are stored in the database tab. Compared to existing 2D-to-3D projection tools, ShapeCalc offers more robust constraints in 3D crystal shape (including uncertainty estimates) for a wider range of naturally occurring crystal shapes. ShapeCalc is described and published, with open access; Mangler, M.F., Humphreys, M.C.S., Wadsworth, F.B. et al. Variation of plagioclase shape with size in intermediate magmas: a window into incipient plagioclase crystallisation. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 177, 64 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-022-01922-9

Data links

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Data 13/8/2026

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Additional information

Source Metadata
XML, HTML
Date added
12 August 2026
Harvest GUID
ee4a8894-5609-37a7-e053-0937940a6b49
Dataset reference date (creation)
2022-11-15
Frequency of update
notApplicable
Access constraints
The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.
Responsible party
University of Durham (originator); British Geological Survey (distributor, pointOfContact)
ISO 19139 resource type
nonGeographicDataset
Metadata language
eng