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Thermonatrite crystals
© Doug Merson
NaCO · H
Thermonatrite is rare at MSH.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is usually white.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; ab
Crystal Habits include powdery fillings and crusts, and compact
pseudomorphs.
Cleavage {100} is poor, not apparent in powdery material.
Fracture is sectile .
Hardness is 1 – 1.5
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.26 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include aegirine, albite, analcime, eudialyte,
griceite, lamprophyllite, lovozerite, lueshite, pectolite, sodalite,
sphalerite, thalcusite, thorogummite, ussingite and villiaumite.
Distinguishing Features: none from other white powdery species.
Origin: Named in 1845 from the Greek thermos, heat, plus natron,
alluding to its origin by thermal drying of that material.
CLASSIFICATION:
Dana System
# 15.1.1.1
Strunz Classification
# V/D.02-10
REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:342 (1990), Dana 8:462 (1997)
DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:
MSH
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