PhiScale Tephra Bench

Unlock Lab Teaching Excellence

Unlimited Storage

Store Every Sample Session

Save unlimited grain-size analyses locally
Export PDF worksheets with signature lines
CSV data export for external analysis

Access Full Library

Reference Suite

Pre-loaded Teaching Samples

Scoria lapilli fall profiles included
Fine ash distal fallout examples
Reworked mixed bed demonstrations

Explore Reference Data

Educational Tools

Concept Drill & Glossary

Timed and untimed quiz modes
Illustrated phi scale glossary
Folk & Ward statistical explanations

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PhiScale Tephra Bench is designed for educational lab teaching, not operational volcanic hazard forecasting. All features available immediately upon download. No subscription required.

Laboratory-Grade Grain Analysis

PhiScale Tephra Bench transforms your iOS device into a specialized volcanology laboratory workbench. Compose custom sieve stacks using phi or millimeter units, enter retained masses for each fraction, and watch as Folk & Ward statistics calculate in real-time with live mass balance verification ensuring your data integrity before you commit.

The app implements defensive grain-size statistics through cumulative probability curves and weight-percent histograms. Interactive charts display D16, D50, and D84 percentile markers directly on your cumulative curves, while sorting classification bands provide instant context for graphic standard deviation values ranging from very well sorted to extremely poorly sorted.

Comparison mode enables side-by-side overlay of up to three tephra samples with synchronized axes and delta-sorting callouts, perfect for viva preparation or lab report discussion sections. All chart toggles, sample selections, and statistical calculations happen offline without network dependency.

Version 1.0.1

Platform iOS

Category Education

Network Fully Offline

Account None Required

Storage Unlimited Local Samples

Export PDF & CSV

Accessibility Dynamic Type Support

Professional Volcanology Toolkit

Flexible Sieve Configuration

Build custom sieve stacks from a comprehensive mesh library or use lab kit templates. Switch seamlessly between phi-units and millimeter labels with inch equivalents for international teaching contexts.

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Live Mass Balance Tracking

Real-time percent checks validate your retained mass entries against total sample weight. Green confirmation at 100 percent accounted ensures data integrity before statistical calculations run.

Dual-Chart Visualization

Toggle between weight-percent histograms and cumulative probability curves. Both display modes include percentile markers, sorting bands, and axis labels optimized for classroom projection or lab worksheets.

Complete Folk & Ward Statistics

Automatic calculation of graphic mean, inclusive graphic standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. Each statistic includes plain-language interpretation and sorting classification bands.

Reference Sample Library

Pre-loaded classic tephra profiles including proximal scoria fall, distal fine ash, and mixed reworked beds. Each reference includes teaching notes explaining sedimentological context and expected sorting patterns.

Educational Concept Drills

Sharpen grain-size analysis skills with timed or untimed quizzes covering phi scale conversions, sorting classifications, and statistical interpretation. Track your progress with session scoring.

Educational Workflow Design

Data Entry Process

Create new sample with site label and unit name metadata
Select sieve stack from templates or customize mesh sizes
Enter retained mass for each fraction with live percent tracking
Add pan fraction fines to complete mass balance
Tap Update Statistics to calculate Folk & Ward parameters
Review cumulative curves with D16, D50, D84 markers
Export multi-page PDF worksheet with signature line

Comparison & Analysis

Access Library tab to browse all saved samples
Filter by sorting quality using classification chips
Select up to three samples for overlay comparison
Toggle between cumulative and frequency chart views
Read delta-sorting callouts and synchronized axes
Clone reference samples to bench for practice edits
Use glossary for quick phi scale or statistic lookup

Built for Teaching Contexts

PhiScale Tephra Bench was designed specifically for undergraduate volcanology and sedimentology lab sessions where students need defensible grain-size statistics without complex spreadsheet setup or manual curve plotting. The app provides plain-language texture interpretations distinguishing fallout-like patterns from remobilized signatures, always with caution text clarifying educational focus versus operational volcanic hazard forecasting. Dynamic Type support and high-contrast UI ensure accessibility for diverse classroom environments, while offline-first architecture eliminates network dependencies during field-based teaching sessions.