Anorthite

Anorthite is the calcium endmember of the plagioclase feldspar mineral series. The chemical formula of pure anorthite is CaAl2Si2O8. Anorthite is found in mafic igneous rocks. Anorthite is rare on the Earth[5] but abundant on the Moon.[6]

Not to be confused with Anorthosite.
Anorthite
Anorthite crystals in a basalt vug from Vesuvius (size:6.9 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm)
General
CategoryFeldspar
Formula
(repeating unit)		CaAl2Si2O8
Strunz classification9.FA.35
Crystal systemTriclinic
Crystal classPinacoidal (1)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP1
Unit cella = 8.1768, b = 12.8768
c = 14.169 [Å]; α = 93.17°
β = 115.85°, γ = 92.22°; Z = 8
Identification
Formula mass278.203 g·mol−1
ColorWhite, grayish, reddish
Crystal habitAnhedral to subhedral granular
TwinningCommon
CleavagePerfect [001] good [010] poor [110]
FractureUneven to concoidal
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness6
LusterVitreous
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.72–2.75
Optical propertiesBiaxial (-)
Refractive indexnα = 1.573–1.577 nβ = 1.580–1.585 nγ = 1.585–1.590
Birefringenceδ = 0.012–0.013
2V angle78° to 83°
Melting point1553 °C[1]
References[2][3][4]

Mineralogy
Anorthite crystals (white) in lava from Miyake Island, Japan (size: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.7 cm)

Anorthite is the calcium-rich endmember of the plagioclase solid solution series, the other endmember being albite, NaAlSi3O8. Anorthite also refers to plagioclase compositions with more than 90 molecular percent of the anorthite endmember. At 1 atmosphere, anorthite melts at 1553 °C.[1]

Occurrence

Anorthite is a rare compositional variety of plagioclase. It occurs in mafic igneous rock. It also occurs in metamorphic rocks of granulite facies, in metamorphosed carbonate rocks, and corundum deposits.[2] Its type localities are Monte Somma and Valle di Fassa, Italy. It was first described in 1823.[4] It is more rare in surficial rocks than it normally would be due to its high weathering potential in the Goldich dissolution series.

It also makes up much of the lunar highlands; the Genesis Rock is made of anorthosite, which is composed largely of anorthite. Anorthite was discovered in samples from comet Wild 2, and the mineral is an important constituent of Ca-Al-rich inclusions in rare varieties of chondritic meteorites.

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See also

References
  1. J.R. Goldsmith (1980): The melting and breakdown reactions of anorthite at high pressures and temperatures. Am. Mineralogist. 65, 272-284, http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM65/AM65_272.pdf
  2. Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. Mindat
  4. Webmineral
  5. Deer, W.A., Howie, R.A. and Zussman, J. (1966). An Introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals. London: Longman. p. 336. ISBN 0-582-44210-9.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Significant Lunar Minerals" (PDF). In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). NASA. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
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