Thermessaite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Thermessaite
Formula:
K2AlF3(SO4)
Colour:
colourless to white
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
2.77
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Thermessa, an ancient Greek name of the island of Vulcano meaning "the warm island".
Type Locality:
Isostructural with:
The K-analogue of thermessaite-(NH4).
This mineral contains linear infinite chains of repeating (AlF3) units, classifying it as a so-called ino-fluoro-aluminate.
This mineral contains linear infinite chains of repeating (AlF3) units, classifying it as a so-called ino-fluoro-aluminate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
32287
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:32287:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
2c6ed1ff-75dd-444d-85ff-c31ff85fd77c
IMA Classification of Thermessaite
Approved
Approval year:
2007
Classification of Thermessaite
3.CG.25
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
G : Aluminofluorides with CO3, SO4, PO4
3 : HALIDES
C : Complex halides
G : Aluminofluorides with CO3, SO4, PO4
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Tms | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Thermessaite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
colourless to white
Streak:
white
Hardness Data:
Could not be measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
None observed
Density:
2.77(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.790 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
from flotation at 25°C in bromoform-chloroform
Chemistry of Thermessaite
Mindat Formula:
K2AlF3(SO4)
Crystallography of Thermessaite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pbcn
Cell Parameters:
a = 10.81 Å, b = 8.336 Å, c = 6.822 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.297 : 1 : 0.818
Unit Cell V:
614.75 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:
Prismatic with {110} and the pinacoid {100} as the dominant forms, terminated by minor {111}.
Crystal Structure
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2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0006194 | Thermessaite | Demartin F, Gramaccioli C M, Campostrini I, Orlandi P (2008) Thermessaite, K2[AlF3|SO4], a new ino-aluminofluoride-sulfate from La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy The Canadian Mineralogist 46 693-700 |  | 2008 | La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 6.631 Å | (70) |
| 5.429 Å | (14) |
| 3.317 Å | (28) |
| 2.983 Å | (100) |
| 2.702 Å | (82) |
| 2.648 Å | (14) |
| 2.208 Å | (30) |
| 1.712 Å | (58) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45a : [Sulfates, arsenates, selenates, antimonates] | |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
Type Occurrence of Thermessaite
General Appearance of Type Material:
sharp translucent crystals up to 0.25 mm
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Referece Collection of Dipartimento di Chimica Strutturale e Stereochimica Inorganica of Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Geological Setting of Type Material:
An altered pyroclastic breccia in active medium- to high-temperature fumaroles at the rim of La Fossa crater.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Thermessaite
Other Language Names for Thermessaite
Simplified Chinese:氟铝钾矾
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Thermessaite associated with Syngenite | K2Ca(SO4)2 · H2O |
| 2 photos of Thermessaite associated with Metavoltine | K2Na6Fe2+Fe3+6O2(SO4)12 · 18H2O |
| 2 photos of Thermessaite associated with Cossaite | (Mg0.5,◻)Al6(SO4)6(HSO4)F6 · 36H2O |
| 1 photo of Thermessaite associated with Vlodavetsite | AlCa2(SO4)2F2Cl · 4H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.CG.3.CG. | Chukhrovite-(Ca) | Ca4.5Al2(SO4)F13 · 12H2O |
| 3.CG.05 | Stenonite | (Sr,Ba,Na)2Al(CO3)F5 |
| 3.CG.10 | Chukhrovite-(Ce) | Ca3(Ce,Y)(AlF6)2(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 3.CG.10 | Chukhrovite-(Y) | Ca3(Y,Ce)(AlF6)2(SO4)F · 10H2O |
| 3.CG.10 | Meniaylovite | Ca4[(SO4)(SiF6)(AlF6)]F · 12H2O |
| 3.CG.10 | Chukhrovite-(Nd) | Ca3(Nd,Y)Al2(SO4)F13 · 12H2O |
| 3.CG.15 | Creedite | Ca3SO4Al2F8(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 3.CG.20 | Bøggildite | Na2Sr2Al2PO4F9 |
| 3.CG.25 | Thermessaite-(NH4) | (NH4)2AlF3(SO4) |
| 3.CG.30 | Kruijenite | Ca4Al4(SO4)F2(OH)16 · 2H2O |
Fluorescence of Thermessaite
none observed under both short- and long-wave
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Thermessaite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-32287.html
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References for Thermessaite
Reference List:
Localities for Thermessaite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Italy | |
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Quick NavTopAbout ThermessaiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
La Fossa crater, Vulcano Island, Lipari, Eolie Islands, Metropolitan City of Messina, Sicily, Italy