Makatite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Makatite
Formula:
Na2Si4O8(OH)2 · 4H2O
Colour:
White
Specific Gravity:
1.97 - 2.07
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From "emakut", Masai word for "soda", in allusion to the high sodium content of the mineral.
Type Locality:
This page provides mineralogical data about Makatite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2548
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2548:1
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Makatite
Classification of Makatite
9.EE.45
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
E : Phyllosilicates
E : Single tetrahedral nets of 6-membered rings connected by octahedral nets or octahedral bands
74.3.5.2
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
3 : Modulated Layers with joined strips
74 : PHYLLOSILICATES Modulated Layers
3 : Modulated Layers with joined strips
14.1.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
1 : Silicates of the alkali metals
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
1 : Silicates of the alkali metals
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mkt | 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 Makatite
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Comment:
Soft.
Cleavage:
Perfect
Parallel to longitudinal axis
Parallel to longitudinal axis
Density:
1.97 - 2.07 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.05 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Makatite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.472 - 1.475 nβ = 1.48 nγ = 1.487 - 1.49
2V:
Measured: 70°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.015
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
none
Chemistry of Makatite
Mindat Formula:
Na2Si4O8(OH)2 · 4H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,K
Crystallography of Makatite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.388 Å, b = 18.094 Å, c = 9.523 Å
β = 90.64°
β = 90.64°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.408 : 1 : 0.526
Unit Cell V:
1,272.94 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Thin striated prisms. Typically as spherulites or fibrous radiating acicular aggregates.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0010848 | Makatite | Annehed H, Faelth L, Lincoln F J (1982) Crystal structure of synthetic makatite Na2Si4O8(OH)2(H2O)4 Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 159 203-210 | 1982 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.09 Å | (100) |
| 2.997 Å | (60) |
| 9.04 Å | (55) |
| 2.883 Å | (40) |
| 3.410 Å | (40) |
| 3.125 Å | (35) |
| 8.42 Å | (30) |
Locality:
Comments:
Lake Magadi, Kenya. Data from the type description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 25 : Evaporites (prebiotic) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Type Occurrence of Makatite
General Appearance of Type Material:
White spherulites or radiating acicular aggregates up to 3 mm in diameter. Individual crystals are 0.05-2.0 µm wide and 5-30 µm long. Commonly replacing trona.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 122170, 122171.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Obtained from drill cores at depths of 8-30 meters. In cavities in coarsely crystalline trona, making up to 20% of the rock in places.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Makatite
Other Language Names for Makatite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 26 photos of Makatite associated with Tuperssuatsiaite | Fe3+Fe3+2(Na◻)◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 18 photos of Makatite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 12 photos of Makatite associated with Villiaumite | NaF |
| 7 photos of Makatite associated with Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 6 photos of Makatite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 6 photos of Makatite associated with Zakharovite | Na4Mn5Si10O24(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 5 photos of Makatite associated with Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 4 photos of Makatite associated with Serandite | NaMn2+2Si3O8(OH) |
| 4 photos of Makatite associated with Gaultite | Na4Zn2Si7O18 · 5H2O |
| 4 photos of Makatite associated with Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.EE. | Cairncrossite | Sr2Ca7-xNa2x(Si4O10)4(OH)2(H2O)15-x |
| 9.EE.05 | Bementite | Mn7Si6O15(OH)8 |
| 9.EE.07 | Innsbruckite | Mn33(Si2O5)14(OH)38 |
| 9.EE.10 | 'Brokenhillite' | Mn8Si6O15(OH)10 |
| 9.EE.10 | Mcgillite | (Mn,Fe)8Si6O15(OH)8Cl2 |
| 9.EE.10 | Friedelite | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
| 9.EE.10 | Pyrosmalite-(Mn) | Mn2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
| 9.EE.10 | Pyrosmalite-(Fe) | Fe2+8Si6O15(OH,Cl)10 |
| 9.EE.15 | Nelenite | Mn2+16As3+3Si12O36(OH)17 |
| 9.EE.15 | Schallerite | Mn2+16As3Si12O36(OH)17 |
| 9.EE.20 | Palygorskite | ◻Al2Mg2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Yofortierite | Mn2+Mn2+2Mn2+2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Windhoekite | Fe3+(Fe3+1.67◻0.33)Ca2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Windmountainite | ◻Fe3+2Mg2◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Ikorskyite | KMn3+(Si4O10) · 3H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | Tuperssuatsiaite | Fe3+Fe3+2(Na◻)◻2Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.20 | 'Unnamed (Na-Ca-Fe-Silicate-Hydrate)' | NaCa(Fe2+,Al,Mn)5[Si8O19(OH)](OH)7 · 5H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Sepiolite | Mg4(Si6O15)(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Loughlinite | Na2Mg3Si6O16 · 8H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Falcondoite | (Ni,Mg)4Si6O15(OH)2 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.25 | Kalifersite | (K,Na)5Fe3+7Si20O50(OH)6 · 12H2O |
| 9.EE.30 | Orlymanite | Ca4Mn3Si8O20(OH)6 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.30 | Tungusite | Ca4Fe2Si6O15(OH)6 |
| 9.EE.30 | Gyrolite | NaCa16Si23AlO60(OH)8 · 14H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Reyerite | (Na,K)2Ca14(Si,Al)24O58(OH)8 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Kodamaite | Na3(Ca5Na)Si16O36(OH)4F2 · (14-x)H2O |
| 9.EE.35 | Truscottite | (Ca,Mn)14Si24O58(OH)8 · 2H2O |
| 9.EE.40 | Natrosilite | Na2Si2O5 |
| 9.EE.50 | Varennesite | Na8Mn2Si10O25(OH,Cl)2 · 12H2O |
| 9.EE.55 | Raite | Mn2+Mn2+2Na2(◻1.75Ti0.25)Si8O20(OH)2(H2O)4 · Na(H2O)6 |
| 9.EE.60 | Intersilite | Na6Mn2+Ti[Si10O24(OH)](OH)3 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.65 | Zakharovite | Na4Mn5Si10O24(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.65 | Shafranovskite | Na3K2(Mn,Fe,Na)4[Si9(O,OH)27](OH)2 · nH2O |
| 9.EE.70 | Zeophyllite | Ca13Si10O28(OH)2F8 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.75 | Minehillite | (K,Na)2-3Ca28Zn4Al4Si40O112(OH)16 |
| 9.EE.80 | Fedorite | (Na,K)2-3(Ca4Na3)Si16O38(OH,F)2 · 3.5H2O |
| 9.EE.80 | Martinite | (Na,◻,Ca)12Ca4(Si,S,B)14B2O38(OH,Cl)2F2 · 4H2O |
| 9.EE.80 | Ellingsenite | Na5Ca6Si18O38(OH)13 · 6H2O |
| 9.EE.85 | Lalondeite | (Na,Ca)6(Ca,Na)3Si16O38(F,OH)2 · 3H2O |
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Sharp endothermic peaks are at 80°, 100°, and 185°C (large). Broad endothermic peaks are at 530° and 810°C, and a possible broad exothermic peak at 675°C. The endothermic peaks between 80° and 185°C probably result from the loss of water.
Notes:
Not water soluble.
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 Makatite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2548.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Makatite
Reference List:
Sheppard, Richard A., Gude, Arthur J. III, Hay, Richard L. (1970) Makatite, a new hydrous sodium silicate mineral from Lake Magadi, Kenya. American Mineralogist, 55 (3-4) 358-366
Annehed, H.; Fälth, L.; Lincoln, F. J. (1982) Crystal structure of synthetic makatite Na2Si4O8(OH)2 · 4H2O. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie, 159 (1-4). 203-210 doi:10.1524/zkri.1982.159.14.203
Dunn, P. J.; Cabri, L. J.; Clark, A. M.; Fleischer, M. (1983) New mineral names. American Mineralogist, 68 (7-8). 849-852
Localities for Makatite
Showing 11 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.
Canada | |
| Horváth et al. (1990) |
| Horváth et al. (1998) |
| Horváth et al. (1998) | |
Germany | |
| Tschernich (1992) |
Kenya (TL) | |
| Sheppard et al. (1970) +1 other reference |
Namibia | |
| ... +3 other references |
| Gevers (1933) +3 other references | |
Russia | |
| Pekov et al. (2004) |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 +1 other reference |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
| Pekov (1998) |
Quick NavTopAbout MakatiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Aris Quarries, Aris, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia