CARPHOLITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Carpholite is a rare, fibrous, and silicate mineral that belongs to the subgroup of the Amphibole group. It is characterized by its distinctive bluish-green to brown color and forms in metamorphic rocks, particularly those that have undergone high-pressure and low-temperature conditions.
The name carpholite is derived from the Greek words "karphos" meaning straw or dry grass and "lithos" meaning stone, alluding to its fibrous nature. It typically occurs in the form of fine, columnar crystals or as bundles of long, thin fibers. The mineral has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale and displays a vitreous to silky luster.
Carpholite commonly occurs as a secondary mineral in low-grade metamorphic rocks such as schists, phyllites, and greenschists. It is often associated with minerals like chlorite, muscovite, sericite, and occasionally garnets. Carpholite's unique blue-green color is a result of iron and manganese impurities within its crystal structure.
In terms of its practical applications, carpholite is not widely used. However, it is of considerable interest to researchers and collectors due to its rarity and unique crystal habit. Its intricate fibrous form makes it an attractive mineral specimen for display purposes. Furthermore, as carpholite often occurs in metamorphic rocks, its presence and distribution can provide valuable insights into the geologic history and processes that have shaped the Earth's surface.
Common Misspellings for CARPHOLITE
- xarpholite
- varpholite
- farpholite
- darpholite
- czrpholite
- csrpholite
- cwrpholite
- cqrpholite
- caepholite
- cadpholite
- cafpholite
- catpholite
- ca5pholite
- ca4pholite
- caroholite
- carlholite
- car-holite
- car0holite
- carpgolite
- carpbolite
Etymology of CARPHOLITE
The word "carpholite" is derived from the Greek words "karphos" meaning "straw" and "lithos" meaning "stone". The name was given to the mineral by the Scottish geologist Sir Archibald Geikie in 1867 due to its fibrous or straw-like appearance.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
