Clinoenstatite

Clinoenstatite is a pyroxene mineral that is a monoclinic polymorph of enstatite. It is an orthopyroxene (meaning it crystallizes in the orthorhombic system) with the chemical formula Mg₂Si₂O₆, and a high-temperature form of enstatite. clinoenstatite forms as a product of rapid cooling or during high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphic processes in specific geological settings like meteorites, volcanic rocks, and some ultramafic rocks. The mineral's crystal structure differs from enstatite due to a slight distortion in the silicon-oxygen tetrahedral chains, influencing its optical properties and physical characteristics, such as cleavage and hardness. Its discovery and analysis provide crucial information about the formation history of the mineral.

Clinoenstatite meaning with examples

• Analysis of the meteorite revealed the presence of clinoenstatite, indicating rapid cooling during its formation in space. The mineral's presence helps scientists understand the conditions present during the celestial body's cooling.
• Volcanic eruptions in Iceland frequently produce lavas that contain clinoenstatite, providing insights into the mantle's composition and high-temperature crystallization processes in those environments.
• During high-grade metamorphism, enstatite may transform into clinoenstatite and other polymorphs, indicating pressures and temperatures within the geological context.
• Laboratory experiments have successfully synthesized clinoenstatite, contributing to our understanding of the mineral's stability fields under varied conditions.
• Thin sections of the rock sample displayed characteristic clinoenstatite crystals, revealing the high-temperature conditions experienced during formation.