Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Messageboard The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Mineral Chatroom The Mindat Store

Tranquillityite

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.



Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Ca)
 
8
(Zr,Y)
 
2
Ti
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
4
System:HexagonalColour:Dark red-brown
Name:Named after its discovery locality at the Sea of Tranquillity, the Moon.


Lunar rock samples brought back from the Moon by the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 were found to contain three minerals that had never been seen on Earth. Terrestrial occurrences for pyroxferroite and armalcolite were discovered in the next few years, but until 2011, tranquillityite was only known from returned moon rock samples and from lunar and martian meteorites. However, the mineral has now been discovered as an uncommon accessory phase in terrestrial mafic rocks, at six localities in Western Australia. [http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/40/1/83.abstract]

Classification of Tranquillityite

IMA status:Approved 1971
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/B.07-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AG.90

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
Dana 8th edition ID:78.7.16.1

78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.10.33

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-4006.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Type Occurrence of Tranquillityite

Type Locality:Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility), The Moon
Year of Discovery:1971

Physical Properties of Tranquillityite

Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Dark red-brown

Crystallography of Tranquillityite

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:a = 11.69Å, c = 22.25Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.903
Unit Cell Volume:V 2,633.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Tranquillityite

Type:Biaxial
RI values: nα = 2.120
2V:Measured: 40°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 2.120

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r < v

Chemical Properties of Tranquillityite

Formula:
(Fe
2+
 
,Ca)
 
8
(Zr,Y)
 
2
Ti
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
O
 
4
Essential elements:Fe, O, Si, Ti, Zr
All elements listed in formula:Ca, Fe, O, Si, Ti, Y, Zr
Common Impurities:Hf,Al,Cr,Nb,Nd,Mn,Ca

Relationship of Tranquillityite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AG.05Abswurmbachite
CuMn
3+
6
(SiO
 
4
)O
 
8
9.AG.05Braunite
Mn
2+
 
Mn
3+
6
(SiO
 
4
)O
 
8
9.AG.05Neltnerite
CaMn
3+
6
(SiO
 
4
)O
 
8
9.AG.05Braunite-II
CaMn
3+
14
(SiO
 
4
)O
 
20
9.AG.10Långbanite
(Mn
2+
 
,Ca)
 
4
(Mn
3+
 
,Fe
3+
 
)
 
9
Sb
5+
 
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
16
9.AG.15Malayaite
CaSn(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.15Titanite
CaTi(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.15Vanadomalayaite
CaV
4+
 
(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.15Natrotitanite
(Na
 
0.5
Y
 
0.5
)Ti(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.20Cerite-(Ce)
(Ce,Ca)
 
9
(Mg,Fe)(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
9.AG.20Cerite-(La)
(La,Ce,Ca)
 
9
(Fe,Ca,Mg)(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
9.AG.20Aluminocerite-(Ce)
(Ce,La,Ca)
 
9
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
4
(OH)
 
3
9.AG.25Trimounsite-(Y)
Y
 
2
Ti
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)O
 
5
9.AG.25Yftisite-(Y)
(Y,Dy,Er)
 
4
(Ti,Sn)(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O(F,OH)
 
6
9.AG.30Sitinakite
KNa
 
2
Ti
 
4
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH) · 4H
 
2
O
9.AG.35Kittatinnyite
Ca
 
2
Mn
 
2
Mn(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
4
 · 9H
 
2
O
9.AG.40aNatisite
Na
 
2
Ti(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.40bParanatisite
Na
 
2
Ti(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.45Törnebohmite-(Ce)
(Ce,La)
 
2
Al(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
9.AG.45Törnebohmite-(La)
(La,Ce)
 
2
Al(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
9.AG.50Kuliokite-(Y)
Y
 
4
Al(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
F
 
5
9.AG.55Chantalite
CaAl
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
4
9.AG.60Mozartite
CaMn
3+
 
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
9.AG.60Vuagnatite
CaAl(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
9.AG.65Hatrurite
Ca
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)O
9.AG.70Jasmundite
Ca
 
11
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
2
S
9.AG.75Afwillite
Ca
 
3
(HSiO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.AG.80Bultfonteinite
Ca
 
2
(HSiO
 
4
)F · H
 
2
O
9.AG.85Zoltaiite
BaV
4+
2
V
3+
12
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
19
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.10.1Zircon
ZrSiO
 
4
14.10.2Hafnon
HfSiO
 
4
14.10.3Zektzerite
LiNa(Zr,Ti,Hf)Si
 
6
O
 
15
14.10.4Parakeldyshite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.5Vlasovite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
4
O
 
11
14.10.6Keldyshite
(Na,H)
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.7Gaidonnayite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.8Terskite
Na
 
4
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
16
 · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.9Elpidite
Na
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.10Hilairite
Na
 
2
Zr[SiO
 
3
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.11Petarasite
Na
 
5
Zr
 
2
(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)(Cl,OH) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.12Khibinskite
K
 
2
ZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.13Wadeite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.10.14Dalyite
K
 
2
ZrSi
 
6
O
 
15
14.10.15Kostylevite
K
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · H
 
2
O
14.10.16Umbite
K
 
2
(Zr,Ti)Si
 
3
O
 
9
 · H
 
2
O
14.10.17Paraumbite
K
 
3
Zr
 
2
H(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
 
2
 · nH
 
2
O
14.10.18Georgechaoite
NaKZr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
] · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.19Gittinsite
CaZrSi
 
2
O
 
7
14.10.20Calciocatapleiite
CaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.21Calciohilairite
CaZr[SiO
 
3
]
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.22Armstrongite
CaZr[Si
 
6
O
 
15
] · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.23Lemoynite
(Na,K)
 
2
CaZr
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
26
 · 5H
 
2
O
14.10.24Catapleiite
Na
 
2
Zr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
) · 2H
 
2
O
14.10.25Baghdadite
Ca
 
3
(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)O
 
2
14.10.26Lovozerite
Na
 
2
CaZr(H
 
4
Si
 
6
O
 
18
) · H
 
2
O
14.10.27Låvenite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)(Zr,Ti)(Si
 
2
O
 
7
)(O,OH,F)
 
2
14.10.28Penkvilksite
Na
 
4
Ti
 
2
Si
 
8
O
 
22
 · 4H
 
2
O
14.10.29Darapiosite
KNa
 
2
(Zn,Li)
 
3
(Mn,Zr)
 
2
[Si
 
12
O
 
30
]
14.10.30Bazirite
BaZr(Si
 
3
O
 
9
)
14.10.31Komkovite
BaZr[Si
 
3
O
 
9
] · 3H
 
2
O
14.10.32Zirsinalite
Na
 
6
(Ca,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)Zr(Si
 
6
O
 
18
)

Other Names for Tranquillityite

Synonyms:
IMA1971-013
Other Languages:
German:Tranquillityit
Spanish:Tranquillityita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Tranquillityite

Reference List:

- +
Proceedings of the 2nd Lunar Scientific Conference (1971): 1: 39-45.

American Mineralogist (1973): 58: 140-141.

Proceedings of the 8th. Lunar Scientific Conference (1977): 2: 1831.

Rasmussen, B. et al (2012) Tranquillityite: the last lunar mineral comes down to Earth. Geology, 40(1) 83-86.

Internet Links for Tranquillityite

Search Engines:
  • Look for Tranquillityite on Google
  • Look for Tranquillityite images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Look for Tranquillityite on Webmineral
  • Look for Tranquillityite on Athena Mineralogy
  • Look for Tranquillityite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Tranquillityite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Tranquillityite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.
  • Buy fine minerals and gemstones from Pala International
  • Search for - Tranquillityite - on e-Rocks Mineral Sales & Auctions
  • DAKOTA MATRIX offers Cabinet and Rare Species from Worldwide Localities.
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Buy RARE Minerals from Rocks of Africa
  • webminerals
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Search for minerals at Heliodor
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Search for Tranquillityite on Well-Arranged Molecules
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Localities for Tranquillityite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Western Australia
      • Derby-West Kimberley Shire
    		Rasmussen et. al, 2011, Tranquillityite: The last lunar mineral comes down to Earth, in Geology, January 2012; v. 40; no. 1; p. 83–86
      • East Pilbara Shire
    		Rasmussen et. al, 2011, Tranquillityite: The last lunar mineral comes down to Earth, in Geology, January 2012; v. 40; no. 1; p. 83–86.
    Rasmussen et. al, 2011, Tranquillityite: The last lunar mineral comes down to Earth, in Geology, January 2012; v. 40; no. 1; p. 83–86.; Hickman, A.H. (1978) Nullagine, Western Australia: Geological Survey of Australia 1:250,000 Geological Series Explanatory Notes, 22p. Rasmussen, B., and Fletcher, I.R. (2004) Zirconolite, a new U-Pb geochronometer. Geology, 32, 785-788. doi:10.1130/G20658.1. Rasmussen, B. et al (2012) Tranquillityite: the last lunar mineral comes down to Earth. Geology, 40(1) 83-86.
        • Shaw River District
    		Rasmussen et. al, 2011, Tranquillityite: The last lunar mineral comes down to Earth, in Geology, January 2012; v. 40; no. 1; p. 83–86.
    Rasmussen et. al, 2011, Tranquillityite: The last lunar mineral comes down to Earth, in Geology, January 2012; v. 40; no. 1; p. 83–86
        • Yarrie Station
    		http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/40/1/83.abstract
    India
     
    • Bihar
      • Gaya District
    		U. Bläß, F. Langenhorst (2011): High-pressure phase transformation of SiO2 polymorphs to Seifertite. Joint Meeting of the DGK, DMG and ÖMG, Salzburg, Austria, September 20-24, 2011; Abstracts Volume, p. 46.
    Oman
     
    • Dhofar (Al Janubiyah) Province
    Meteoritical Bulletin No. 86
    The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 88, 2004 JULY, Meteoritics & Planetary Science 39, Axxx–Axxx (2004)
    The Moon
     
    Proc. 2nd Lunar Sci.Conf.(1971) 1, 39-45; Nikischer, Tony and Joe Orosz (2007) Lunar Mineral Found at Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Mineral News: 23(8): 1, 2, 9, 14.
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Search Google
     
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 16th Mar 2013 14:11:15
    Mineral and Locality Search
    Mineral:
    and/or Locality:
    Options
    Fade toolbar when not in focusFix toolbar to bottom of page
    Hide Social Media Links
    Slideshow frame delay seconds