Thermonatrite

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Thermonatrite

Thermonatrite

Name/Title

Thermonatrite

Entry/Object ID

2009.62.31

Description

Chemical Composition: Na2CO3·(H2O) Crystal System: Orthorhombic System Description: Common Name: Thermonatrite Chemistry:Na2CO3·(H2O) Group: Halides Location: Alkali Lake, Oregon, USA Description: Chalky white crystal hexagonal shape. Physical Properties of Thermonatrite Crystal System: Orthorhombic Cleavage: {100} Indistinct Color: Colorless, Grayish yellow, Grayish, Yellowish, White. Density: 2.255 Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent Fracture: Sectile - Curved shavings or scrapings produced by a knife blade, (e.g. graphite). Hardness: 1 - Talc Luster: Vitreous - Dull Streak: white Variety: Thermonatrite is a carbonate mineral, hydrated sodium carbonate (Na2CO3·H2O), found near saline lakes as an evaporation product or on arid soil as an efflorescence. It is usually associated with natron (Na2CO3·10H2O) and trona, which alter to it upon partial dehydration; many reported deposits of natron are probably thermonatrite, because normal temperatures and dry air will cause the alteration. Natron, commonly found in solution, was used by ancient Egyptians as a preservative in mummification.

Collection

RAGM Mineral Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2009.62

Source or Donor

Museum Collection of Minerals

Acquisition Method

Donation

Dimensions

Width

2 in

Depth

4 in

Length

3 in

Weight

1.24 oz

Dimension Notes

Dimension taken at widest points

Location

Location

Shelf

CS-D-1

Room

Curation Storage

Building

Crater Rock Museum

Category

Storage

Moved By

Curtis Gardner

Date

December 19, 2023