Antarcticite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Antarcticite
Formula:
CaCl2 · 6H2O
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
1.715
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
For its occurrence on the continent of Antarctica.
A highly hygroscopic mineral. May dehydrate to mesohydride under certain conditions.
A synthetic Sr analogue is known.
A synthetic Sr analogue is known.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
251
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:251:8
IMA Classification of Antarcticite
Approved
First published:
1965
Classification of Antarcticite
3.BB.30
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
3 : HALIDES
B : Simple halides, with H2O
B : M:X = 1:2
9.2.6.1
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
9 : NORMAL HALIDES
2 : AX2
8.4.9
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
8 : Halides - Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides and Iodides; also Fluoborates and Fluosilicates
4 : Halides of the alkaline earths and Mg
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Atc | 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 Antarcticite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
on {0001}, good to perfect on one prism face
on {0001}, good to perfect on one prism face
Density:
1.715 g/cm3 (Measured) 1.7 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Antarcticite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.55 nε = 1.49 - 1.5
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.050 - 0.060
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Chemistry of Antarcticite
Mindat Formula:
CaCl2 · 6H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Antarcticite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 2 - Trapezohedral
Space Group:
P3 2 1
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.9 Å, c = 3.95 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.5
Unit Cell V:
213.49 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010027 | Antarcticite | Agron P A, Busing W R (1986) Calcium and strontium dichloride hexahydrates by neutron diffraction Acta Crystallographica C42 141-143 |  | 1986 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009607 | Antarcticite | Leclaire A, Borel M (1977) Le dichlorure et le dibromure de calcium hexahydrates _cod_database_code 1001770 Acta Crystallographica B33 2938-2940 | | 1977 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0018193 | Antarcticite | Jensen A (1940) On the structure of Sr Cl2 (H2 O)6 _cod_database_code 1011356 Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Matematisk-Fysike Meddelelser 17 1-27 | 1940 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.44 Å | (24) |
| 2.80 Å | (23) |
| 2.16 Å | (23) |
| 2.60 Å | (22) |
| 3.98 Å | (18) |
| 2.28 Å | (13) |
| 6.92 Å | (9) |
Reference:
Comments:
Recorded on material from the type locality
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals] | |
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Geological Setting:
Stratified fresh to brackish to salt water columns in onshore "blue holes" (Bahamas);
Component of inclusions in quartz in a zoned mafic pegmatoid (Bushveld Complex)
Component of inclusions in quartz in a zoned mafic pegmatoid (Bushveld Complex)
Type Occurrence of Antarcticite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Aggregates of acicular crystals with poor terminations, to 15 cm
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Precipitate from highly saline brines under very arid conditions
Synonyms of Antarcticite
Other Language Names for Antarcticite
Dutch:Antarcticiet
French:Antarcticite
German:Antarcticit
Antarkticit
Antarkticit
Norwegian:Antarcticitt
Russian:Антарктицит
Simplified Chinese:南极石
Spanish:Antarcticita
Antarkticita
Antarkticita
Traditional Chinese:南極石
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 3.BB. | Králíkite | BaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.05 | Eriochalcite | CuCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.10 | Rokühnite | FeCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.15 | Bischofite | MgCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.20 | Nickelbischofite | NiCl2 · 6H2O |
| 3.BB.25 | Sinjarite | CaCl2 · 2H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Tachyhydrite | CaMg2Cl6 · 12H2O |
| 3.BB.35 | Aravaipaite | Pb3AlF9 · H2O |
| 3.BB.40 | Ghiaraite | CaCl2 · 4H2O |
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 Antarcticite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-251.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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Mineral Dealers:
References for Antarcticite
Reference List:
Torii, T., Ossaka, J. (1965) Antarcticite: A New Mineral, Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate, Discovered in Antarctica. Science, 149 (3687). 975-977 doi:10.1126/science.149.3687.975
Torii, T., Ossaka, J. (1965) Antarcticite: A New Mineral, Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate, Discovered in Antarctica. Science, 149 (3687). 975-977 doi:10.1126/science.149.3687.975
Dunning, G. E., Cooper, J. F. (1969) A second occurrence of antarcticite from Bristol Dry Lake, California. American Mineralogist, 54 (7-8) 1018-1025
Agron, P. A., Busing, W. R. (1986) Calcium and strontium dichloride hexahydrates by neutron diffraction. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 42 (2) 141-143 doi:10.1107/s0108270186097007
Sutjahja, I M; A U, S Rahayu; Kurniati, Nia; Pallitine, Ivyalentine D; Kurnia, D (2016) The role of chemical additives to the phase change process of CaCl2.6H2O to optimize its performance as latent heat energy storage system. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 739. 012064 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/739/1/012064
Localities for Antarcticite
Showing 15 localities.
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 | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Torii et al. (1965) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| Kwak et al. (1987) |
Bahamas | |
| Eckstein Y. et al. (1994) +1 other reference |
Canada | |
| Taner et al. (1998) |
Chile | |
| De Waele et al. (2017) |
China | |
| Shaoxiu (1991) |
| Bingxiao Li and Kejun Wang (1986) +3 other references |
Mexico | |
| GONZALEZPARTIDA et al. (2003) |
Norway | |
| Hans-Jørgen Berg |
Russia | |
| Cesnokov et al. (1998) |
| Mazurov et al. (2007) |
| Chaykovsky et al. (2011) |
South Africa | |
| Anthony et al. (1997) |
USA | |
| Dunning et al. (1969) +4 other references |
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Bristol Dry Lake pit [1], Saltus, San Bernardino County, California, USA