This dataset contains photographs from an optical microscope by transmitted light and reflected light. The data was collected in 2022-2023. The data was collected for the purpose of visualising spatial textures and microstructures in the collected samples. The data was collected by John MacDonald and Robin Hilderman (University of Glasgow) who retain the original data.

This data comprises various transmitted and reflected light microscopy images, scanning electron imagery, chemical mapping (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), and crystallographic mapping (electron backscatter diffraction) of basalt samples. Basalt cores were taken from the Reykjanes Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean, during IODP Expedition 395C at four sites, U1554, U1555, U1562, and U1563.

Non -contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) images of surface nanobubbles on the fluorcarbonate mineral synchysite. Synchysite is a rare earth fluorcarbonate mineral which has previously been relatively unstudied. Since nanobubbles were first imaged in 2000, they have been thought to play a intigral role in mineral processing. Images of nanobubbles were produced under collector reagent conditions favourable to flotation. These are the first images of nanobubbles on the fluorcarbonate mineral synchysite. Nanobubbles at the surface of synchysite improve the understanding of both flotation and nanobubble formation.