Krotite

• IMA 2010-038

Krotit is an extremely rare mineral that was formed not on Earth, but in space. Is a calcium -aluminum oxide with the composition CaAl2O4.

Etymology and history

The mineral is named after Alexander N. Krot geochemist. It was rediscovered in 2010 and recognized by the IMA.

Education and Locations

Probably the Krotit originated more than 4.5 billion years ago by condensation or crystallization from a melt in the young solar nebula, which had condensed from the primordial cloud.

The Krotit was found in the carbonaceous chondrites " NWA 1934 " which in Morocco, Errachidia Province, Meknès- Tafilalet region was found. In the several chondrites Krotitkristalle form an approximately egg-shaped enclosure of 2.75 mm x 4.5 mm, which is enclosed by olivine. The discovery in the meteorite is the first evidence of the natural occurrence and one of the oldest known minerals in the solar system.

Crystal structure

Krotit crystallizes in the monoclinic system.