Gregoryite

Gregoryite is an anhydrous carbonate mineral that is rich in potassium and sodium[5] with the chemical formula (Na2,K2,Ca)CO3.[2][6][7] It is one of the two main ingredients of natrocarbonatite, found naturally in the lava of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano of Arusha Region, Tanzania, and the other being nyerereite.[8]

Gregoryite
General
CategoryCarbonate mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Na2,K2,Ca)CO3
IMA symbolGgy[1]
Strunz classification5.AA.10
Crystal systemHexagonal
Crystal classDihexagonal pyramidal (6mm)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP63mc
Unit cella = 5.21
c = 6.58 [Å]; Z = 2
Identification
ColorBrown, milky white
Crystal habitPhenocrysts in carbonatite lava
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.27 (calculated)
Optical propertiesUniaxial
SolubilitySoluble in water
References[2][3][4]

Because of its anhydrous nature, gregoryite reacts quickly with the environment, causing the dark lava to be converted to white substance within hours.[5]

Gregoryite was first described in 1980 and named after the British geologist and author John Walter Gregory (1864–1932), who studied the East African Rift Valley.[2][3] It occurs associated with nyerereite, alabandite, halite, sylvite, fluorite and calcite.[4]

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. Mindat.org
  3. Webmineral.com
  4. Handbook of Mineralogy
  5. "Gregoryite definition". Dictionary of Geology. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
  6. Mitchell, Roger H.; Bruce A. Kjarsgaard (2010). "Experimental Studies of the System Na2CO3–CaCO3–MgF2 at 0·1 GPa: Implications for the Differentiation and Low-temperature Crystallization of Natrocarbonatite". Journal of Petrology. Oxford Journals. 52 (7–8): 1265–1280. doi:10.1093/petrology/egq069.
  7. Hay, Richard L (1989). "Holocene carbonatite-nephelinite tephra deposits of Oldoinyo Lengai, Tanzania". Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. Elsevier (Netherlands). 37 (1): 77–91. Bibcode:1989JVGR...37...77H. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(89)90114-5.
  8. "World's Coolest Lava is in Africa". Volcano Watch. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Watch. Retrieved 2011-05-21.
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