Elaterite

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Elaterite, also known as aeonite, elasticite, elastic bitumen, or mineral caoutchouc , is a brown, often sticky, hydrocarbon. First discovered at Castleton, Derbyshire, in England, elaterite is not considered to be a mineral species. It has sometimes been confused with coorongite, found in Australia, but it has been determined that the origins of the two substances differ.

Contents

History and etymology

Elaterite was first discovered at Castleton in Derbyshire, England. [1]

The origin of the name elaterite lies in the Greek word ελατηρ, meaning "pine", so named as it was assumed to have formed from the resin in pine trees. [1] It is or has also been known as aeonite, elasticite, elastic bitumen, or mineral caoutchouc. [1]

Description

The substance varies somewhat in consistency, being sometimes soft, elastic and sticky, like India rubber, and occasionally hard and brittle. It is usually dark brown in colour and slightly translucent. [2]

It is not considered to be a mineral species. [1]

Although coorongite is of a very similar composition to elaterite, [3] it is not the same substance nor of the same origin. [4] [5]

Occurrence in nature

Cave and elaterite, Windy Knoll quarry Windy Knoll cave and quarry.jpg
Cave and elaterite, Windy Knoll quarry

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Elaterite". Mindat.org . Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  2. Chisholm 1911, p. 160.
  3. Brown, H. Y. L. Catalogue of South Australian Minerals , 1893, p.14
  4. "Coorongite". Mindat.org . 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  5. Hutton, Adrian C; Hower, James C (August 1999). "Cannel coals: implications for classification and terminology". International Journal of Coal Geology. 41 (1–2): 157–188. Bibcode:1999IJCG...41..157H. doi:10.1016/S0166-5162(99)00015-4.
  6. "MNA112374". National Trust Heritage Records . Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  7. "Windy Knoll Quarry, Castleton, High Peak, Derbyshire, England, UK". Mindat.org . Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. Weston, William (1907). The Hydrocarbon Field of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah on the Projected Line of the Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway: Report on the Above to Mr. A. C. Ridgway, General Manager. p. 26. OCLC   654236574.
Attribution

Further reading