Keilite is an iron-magnesium sulfide mineral with the chemical formula (Fe,Mg)S) that is found in enstatite chondrites.[2] Keilite is the iron-dominant analog of niningerite.[3][4] Keilite is named after Klaus Keil (born 1934).[3]

Keilite
General
CategorySulfides
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Fe2+,Mg)S
IMA symbolKe[1]
Strunz classification2/C.15-15
Dana classification2.8.1.9
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classHexoctahedral
Space groupFm3m (No. 225)
Unit cella = 5.1717(18)Å
Identification
Formula mass81.91 gm
ColourGrey
Crystal habitMicroscopic crystals
CleavageDistinct/good
TenacityBrittle
LusterMetallic
DiaphaneityOpaque
Specific gravity3.958
Density3.958

Occurrences

edit

Examples of keilite occurrences are enstatite chondrites and the Zakłodzie meteorite.[4] It appears to be confined to impact-melt influenced enstatite chondrites that were quenched. There are also some meteorites interpreted as impact-melt breccias that do not contain keilite. This is explained as a deeper burial after impact, which slowed cooling and enabled retrograde reactions (diapthoresis) to take place.[5]

References

edit
  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ "Keilite Mineral Data". WebMineral. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Keilite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b Shimizu M, Yoshida H, Mandarino JA (2002). "The New Mineral Species Keilite, (Fe,Mg)S, The Iron-Dominant Analogue of Niningerite" (PDF). The Canadian Mineralogist. 40 (6): 1687–1692. Bibcode:2002CaMin..40.1687S. doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.6.1687. S2CID 93381076.
  5. ^ Keil, Klaus (30 April 2007). "Occurrence and origin of keilite, (Fe>0.5,Mg<0.5)S, in enstatite chondrite impact-melt rocks and impact-melt breccias". Chemie der Erde - Geochemistry. 67 (1): 37–54. Bibcode:2007ChEG...67...37K. doi:10.1016/j.chemer.2006.05.002.