Euchlorine
| Euchlorine, Euclorina, Euchlorin, Euchlorite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfate mineral |
| Formula | KNaCu3(SO4)3O |
| IMA symbol | Ecr[1] |
| Strunz classification | 7.BC.30 |
| Dana classification | 30.3.1.1 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Space group | C2/c |
| Unit cell | a = 18.41(5) Å, b = 9.43(3) Å, c = 14.21(5) Å, β = 113.7(3)°; Z = 8 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Emerald-green, dark green |
| Crystal habit | Single crystals, tabular, incrustation |
| Streak | Pistachio green |
| Density | 3.28 (measured), 3.28 (calculated) |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+), moderate relief, emerald green color (transmitted light) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.580, nβ = 1.605, nγ = 1.644 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.064 |
| Pleochroism | X: Pale grass-green, Y: Grass-green, Z: Bright yellow-green |
| 2V angle | Moderately large (measured) |
| Dispersion | r < v |
| Solubility | Partially soluble in water |
| References | [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] |
Euchlorine (KNaCu3(SO4)3O) is a rare emerald-green sulfate mineral found naturally occurring as a sublimate in fumaroles around volcanic eruptions.[3][4][5] It was first discovered in fumaroles of the 1868 eruption at Mount Vesuvius in Campania, Italy by Arcangelo Scacchi.[2][9][10] The name 'euchlorine' comes from the Greek word εΰχλωρος meaning "pale green" in reference to the mineral's color, other reported spellings include euclorina, euchlorin, and euchlorite.[2][9][10]
The ideal formula of euchlorine is KNaCu3(SO4)3O though calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) occasionally substitute into the crystal lattice.[11] Euchlorine is structurally related to puninite (Na2Cu3(SO4)3O) and fedotovite (K2Cu3(SO4)3O), all of which are included in the euchlorine group of minerals.[4][12]
One of the distinguishing physical properties helpful for identifying euchlorine in hand sample is its streak, which is a pistachio-green color.[5][10] If trying to find euchlorine in the field, wear protective clothing as the volcanic fumaroles around which it occurs can be very hot (approximately 300 to 650 °C, 580 to 1200 °F) and can cause severe steam burns if not adequately protected.[13][14]
Geologic occurrence
[edit]Mount Vesuvius, Naples, Italy is the type locality of euchlorine.[2][3][4][5][10] It occurred as a sublimate in fumaroles (hot vents of steam and other volcanic gases) that formed during the 1868 volcanic eruption, it has also been found in fumaroles during eruptions at the same location in 1892 and 1893.[2][13] Mineral associations at this site include dolerophanite, eriochalcite, chalcocyanite, melanothallite, anglesite, atacamite, cryptochalcite, palmierite, barite, and natrochalcite.[3][13]
Euchlorine has also been found at Izalco Volcano in El Salvador.[3][4] In 1987 euchlorine was one of the minerals found in association with Mcbirneyite when it was first discovered in fumaroles at the summit of Izalco Volcano.[15] Other mineral associations at this location include stoiberite, fingerite, ziesite, and thenardite.[15]
In Russia, euchlorine has been found in association with multiple new minerals discovered in the 2000s and 2010s.[16][17][18][19][20][21]
At fumarole deposits in the North Breach from the Tolbachik Volcano eruption of the Great Fissure on the Kamchatka Peninsula euchlorine (as euchlorite) was found associated with newly discovered mineral avdoninite and reported around 2005–2007.