Tranquillityite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tranquillityite
Formula:
(Fe2+,Ca)8(Zr,Y)2Ti3(SiO4)3O12
Colour:
gray, Dark red-brown
Specific Gravity:
4.7 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
Named in 1971 by J. F. Lovering, D. A. Wark, A. F. Reid, N. G. Bunch, A. El Goresy, Paul Ramdohr, G. M. Brown, A. Peckett, R. Phillips, Eugene N. Cameron, J. A. V. Douglas, and A. G. Plant after its discovery locality at the Sea of Tranquility, 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]
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
4006
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:4006:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
8f99ccc3-fae6-4ea4-b257-e83cc58fe9a0
IMA Classification of Tranquillityite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Fe2+8Ti3Zr2Si3O24
Approval year:
1971
First published:
1971
Classification of Tranquillityite
9.AG.90
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
G : Nesosilicates with additional anions; cations in > [6] +- [6] coordination
78.7.16.1
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
78 : Unclassified Silicates
7 :
14.10.33
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
10 : Silicates of Zr or Hf
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Trq | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tranquillityite
Transparency:
Translucent, Opaque
Colour:
gray, Dark red-brown
Density:
4.7(1) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tranquillityite
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 2.120(1)
2V:
Measured: 40°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 2.120
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Anisotropism:
weakly anisotropic
Dispersion:
r < v
Colour in reflected light:
grey
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Chemistry of Tranquillityite
Mindat Formula:
(Fe2+,Ca)8(Zr,Y)2Ti3(SiO4)3O12
Common Impurities:
Hf,Al,Cr,Nb,Nd,Mn,Ca
Crystallography of Tranquillityite
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 11.69(5) Å, c = 22.25(10) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 1.903
Unit Cell V:
2,633.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
3
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.23 Å | (100) |
| 1.781 Å | (70) |
| 2.155 Å | (60) |
| 4.04 Å | (50) |
| 3.34 Å | (40) |
| 3.18 Å | (40) |
| 3.13 Å | (40) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
| 5 : Primary asteroid phases | 4.566–4.560 |
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 8 : Mafic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Tranquillityite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
thin laths and sheaves of laths
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
The Lunar Science Institute, Houston, Texas
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Lunar basalts
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Reference:
Lovering, J.F., Wark, D.A., Reid, A.F., Ware, N.G., Keil, K., Prinz, M., Bunch, T.E., El Goresy, A., Ramdohr, P., Brown, G.M., Peckett, A., Phillips, R., Cameron, E.N., Douglas, J.A.V., Plant, A.G. (1971) Tranquillityite: a new silicate mineral from Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 basaltic rocks. Proceedings of the Second Lunar Science Conference: 1: 39-45.
Synonyms of Tranquillityite
Other Language Names for Tranquillityite
German:Tranquillityit
Spanish:Tranquillityita
Common Associates
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AG. | Ivanyukite-Na-T | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)O3 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG. | Ivanyukite-Na-C | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG. | Edgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4F2 |
| 9.AG. | Aluminotaipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG.02 | Gatedalite | ZrMn2+2Mn3+4SiO12 |
| 9.AG.2 | Skogbyite | Zr(Mg2Mn3+4)SiO12 |
| 9.AG.05 | Abswurmbachite | CuMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Braunite | Mn2+Mn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Neltnerite | CaMn3+6(SiO4)O8 |
| 9.AG.05 | Braunite-II | CaMn3+14(SiO4)O20 |
| 9.AG.10 | Långbanite | Mn2+4Mn3+9Sb5+O16(SiO4)2 |
| 9.AG.12 | Taipingite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4F3 |
| 9.AG.15 | Malayaite | CaSn(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.15 | Titanite | CaTi(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.15 | Vanadomalayaite | CaV4+(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.15 | Natrotitanite | (Na0.5Y0.5)Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.15 | Żabińskiite | Ca[Al0.5(Ta,Nb)0.5)](SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.20 | Cerite-(CeCa) | (Ce7Ca2)◻Mg(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Ferricerite-(LaCa) | (La6Ca3)◻Fe3+(SiO4)3(SiO3OH)4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Aluminocerite-(CeCa) | (Ce6Ca3)◻Al(SiO4)3[SiO3(OH)]4(OH)3 |
| 9.AG.20 | Nipeiite-(Ce) | Ce9Fe3+(SiO4)6[SiO3(OH)](OH)3 |
| 9.AG.25 | Trimounsite-(Y) | Y2Ti2(SiO4)O5 |
| 9.AG.25 | Yftisite-(Y) | (Y,Dy,Er)4(Ti,Sn)(SiO4)2O(F,OH)6 |
| 9.AG.25 | Mieite-(Y) | Y4Ti(SiO4)2O[F,(OH)]6 |
| 9.AG.30 | Sitinakite | KNa2Ti4(SiO4)2O5(OH) · 4H2O |
| 9.AG.35 | Kittatinnyite | Ca2Mn2Mn(SiO4)2(OH)4 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.40a | Natisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.40b | Paranatisite | Na2Ti(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(Ce) | Ce2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.45 | Törnebohmite-(La) | La2Al(SiO4)2(OH) |
| 9.AG.50 | Kuliokite-(Y) | Y4Al(SiO4)2(OH)2F5 |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Na | Na2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 6H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-K | K2Ti4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 9H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Ivanyukite-Cu | CuTi4(SiO4)3(OH)2O2 · 7H2O |
| 9.AG.50 | Hydroxyledgrewite | Ca9(SiO4)4(OH)2 |
| 9.AG.52 | Ulfanderssonite-(Ce) | (Ce15Ca)Σ16Mg2(SiO4)10(SiO3OH)(OH,F)5Cl3 |
| 9.AG.55 | Chantalite | CaAl2(SiO4)(OH)4 |
| 9.AG.60 | Mozartite | CaMn3+(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.60 | Vuagnatite | CaAl(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AG.65 | Hatrurite | Ca3(SiO4)O |
| 9.AG.70 | Jasmundite | Ca11(SiO4)4O2S |
| 9.AG.75 | Afwillite | Ca3(HSiO4)2 · 2H2O |
| 9.AG.80 | Bultfonteinite | Ca2(HSiO4)F · H2O |
| 9.AG.85 | Zoltaiite | BaV4+2V3+12(SiO4)2O19 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tranquillityite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-4006.html
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References for Tranquillityite
Reference List:
Localities for Tranquillityite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Antarctica | |
| Semenova et al. (1992, March) |
Australia | |
| Melluso et al. (2014) |
| Rasmussen et. al +3 other references |
| Rasmussen et. al +3 other references |
| Rasmussen et. al +4 other references | |
| geology.gsapubs.org (n.d.) |
| Rasmussen et. al +3 other references | |
| Rasmussen et. al +3 other references | |
India | |
| Abstracts Volume +1 other reference |
Northwest Africa Meteorites | |
| Srinivasan et al. (2018) | |
| Lindner et al. (2022) | |
| Leroux et al. (2006) | |
Oman | |
| Taylor et al. (2001) |
| Meteoritical Bulletin No. 86 | |
| The Meteoritical Bulletin et al. (2004) | |
The Moon | |
| El Goresy et al. (1971) |
| Lovering J F et al. (1971) |
| Lovering J F et al. (1971) |
| Tian et al. (2021) | |
| Meyer et al. (1974) |
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Mundine Well, Barradale, Ashburton Shire, Western Australia, Australia