Do you want to know about the various perspectives of chlorite minerals? I guess your answer is a big yes. So in this section, we will talk about chlorite meaning which is basically a sheet group consisting of several silicates. Can’t believe it? Don’t worry. Let’s talk about it some more.
Introduction to Chlorite Mineral
The name chlorite is basically a part of a Greek word which is chloros. The meaning of this Greek word is none other than green which is a complete reference to the color of the chlorite minerals.
Are you confused with Chlorine? Don’t be confused. Because the chlorite mineral can’t contain any chlorine. It is just the name of a Greek root.
Chlorite Properties
In this section, we will generally discuss the basic physical properties of chlorites.
A chlorite is a group of phyllosilicate sheets of minerals such as Magnesium, Iron, Nickel, Calcium as well as Manganese. It can generally be found during the metamorphism phases. Apart from that, Zinc and Lithium also have a special role.
The maximum number of chlorite minerals are coming is a greenish color. It is because of its foliated emergence as well as it has perfect cleavages of perfect 001. Chlorites ate very oily in nature to feel soapy.
The chlorite minerals have a refractive index of almost 1.57 to 1.67. It has a lamellar fracture pattern.
Most chlorites are green but it has a foliate presence. So that everyone who touches chlorite can feel soapy. On the contrary, the several chemical compositions make chlorite with an individual hardness of 2 to 2.5 according to the Mohs scale. It has a different specific gravity of 2.6 to 3.3 which is completely different from any other minerals.
Aren’t Chlorite Properties Interesting?
One can easily recognize a group of chlorite. However, the identification of a specific name can be difficult in some way. In that case, a detailed optical and chemical report, as well as an X-ray analysis, is mandatory for positive dissemination.
The saddest part is that the individual chlorites are less known to people.
Collection of Minerals
Here we will talk about the collection method of minerals.
The best way is to collect specimens. The next step is to do a clear study with the collective specimens or samples. You have to observe the sample as well as their properties.
Formation of Chlorite
The chlorites typically form in the rocky environment. Here heat alters with the minerals along with pressure. There is an extreme change in the chemical activities of the minerals. Sounds interesting right? Apart from that, chlorites form in sedimentary rocks also but those sedimentary rocks should be clay-rich. Even those chlorite minerals bury in those deep sedimentary rock basins. Therefore these minerals are generally subjected to regional metamorphism. Can’t believe it? Let’s talk about more.
Regional metamorphism of chlorite minerals can take place only in the convergent boundaries of plates. These chlorites are associated with Muscovite, Cordierite, Andalusite as well as Biotite. Garnet along with Staurolite has specific roles to play.
On the contrary, it is found that the metamorphic rocks are very rich in chlorite which includes chlorite schist and phyllite as well.
Not only in rocks, another suitable environment for the formation of chlorite minerals none other than in the oceanic crust. When these crusts are descending to the subduction zones, the chlorite minerals can form. However, chlorite alters with several other minerals such as micas, amphiboles along pyroxenes.
Can you believe that chlorite can form in various conditions?
The chlorite minerals also form during the metasomatic environment as well as the hydrothermal processing. These minerals occur in the fracture zones, in the igneous rocks, and the solution cavities as well.
Who knew that individual chlorite can have so many formations?