secondary mineral

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | 528 words | Copyright

secondary mineral A mineral formed by the subsolidus alteration of a pre-existing primary mineral in an igneous rock. Minerals which have crystallized from a magma are stable only at high temperature and can readily alter to lowtemperature, secondary minerals when a fluid, e.g. water, is introduced into the rock system. The fluid acts as a catalyst to initiate the alteration reaction. Most secondary minerals are hydrated silicates. A typical example is the alteration of primary olivine to secondary chlorite and serpentine.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "secondary mineral." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "secondary mineral." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-secondarymineral.html

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