TY - JOUR
T1 - Asbestiform chain silicates
T2 - New minerals and structural groups
AU - Veblen, David R.
AU - Buseck, P R
AU - Burnham, Charles W.
PY - 1977
Y1 - 1977
N2 - The discovery and characterization of structurally ordered and disordered phases that are intermediate between amphiboles and micas have shown that the biopyriboles are a much more complex family of minerals than has previously been recognized. In addition to single-chain, double-chain, and sheet structures, there are also minerals with triple chains and with alternating double and triple chains. Many crystals exhibit disorder in the sequence of double and triple chains, and isolated chains that are wider than triple are common. This structural disorder helps to explain why asbestiform amphiboles are fibrous. The new phases have now been found in several localities, and it is possible that similar phenomena in other minerals could also have been overlooked. In particular, there is no reason to suppose that analogous substances and structures with both single and double chains do not occur between the pyroxenes and the amphiboles. Since the pyroxenes are used extensively by geologists to assess rock histories and formation temperatures and pressures, it is essential that the extent of this type of disorder be evaluated. It is possible that what appears to be only an interesting mineralogical problem may prove to be a petrological nightmare.
AB - The discovery and characterization of structurally ordered and disordered phases that are intermediate between amphiboles and micas have shown that the biopyriboles are a much more complex family of minerals than has previously been recognized. In addition to single-chain, double-chain, and sheet structures, there are also minerals with triple chains and with alternating double and triple chains. Many crystals exhibit disorder in the sequence of double and triple chains, and isolated chains that are wider than triple are common. This structural disorder helps to explain why asbestiform amphiboles are fibrous. The new phases have now been found in several localities, and it is possible that similar phenomena in other minerals could also have been overlooked. In particular, there is no reason to suppose that analogous substances and structures with both single and double chains do not occur between the pyroxenes and the amphiboles. Since the pyroxenes are used extensively by geologists to assess rock histories and formation temperatures and pressures, it is essential that the extent of this type of disorder be evaluated. It is possible that what appears to be only an interesting mineralogical problem may prove to be a petrological nightmare.
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U2 - 10.1126/science.198.4315.359
DO - 10.1126/science.198.4315.359
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0006597143
SN - 0036-8075
VL - 198
SP - 359
EP - 365
JO - Science
JF - Science
IS - 4315
ER -