May 13 2014
Butschliite was named after Johann Adam Otto Butschli (1848–1920), a Professor of Zoology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Properties of Butschliite
The following are the key properties of butschliite:
- Cell Data
- Space group: R3m
- a = 5.3822(4)
- c = 18.156(2)
- Z = 3
- Crystal Data
- Hexagonal
- Point group: 3 2/m
- As microscopic barrel-shaped crystals
- elongated along [0001], in earthy to porcelaneous masses
- X-ray powder pattern: 2.862 (100), 3.02 (35), 1.690 (20), 1.641 (20), 1.044 (20), 0.933 (20), 2.071 (14)
- Optical Properties
- Optical class: Uniaxial (-)
- ω =1.595
- ε = 1.455
- Estimated Properties
| Electron density |
Bulk density (electron density) = 2.57 g/cm3
note: Specific gravity of butschliite = 2.60 g/cm3 |
| Photoelectric |
PEButschliite = 5.47 barns/electron
U=PEButschliite x ρ electron density= 14.10 barns/cm3 |
| Fermion index |
Fermion index = 0.0015686955
Boson index = 0.9984313045 |
Radioactivity
|
Butschliite is radioactive
|
How to Identify Butschliite
Butschliite can be identified in the field by its white color. Its semi-transparent form has {0001} distinct cleavage.
Global Distribution
Butschliite is distributed in the following places:
- USA – Several occurrences in forests, from trees struck by lightning; from Kanabownits Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino Co. Arizona; in the Kaniksu National Forest, near Coolin, Bonner Co. Idaho; at Long Shop, Montgomery Co. Virginia
- Canada - From near Eganville and Deseronto, Ontario
Occurrence of Butschliite and Useful Mineral Association
Butschliite is formed in fused wood-ash clinkers in partly burned trees.
It is often associated with minerals such as calcite and fairchildite.
References