Andalusite facts for kids
Andalusite is a fascinating mineral. It's a type of rock-forming mineral that you can find in many places around the world. It's known for its unique chemical makeup and how it can change under certain conditions.
What is Andalusite?
Andalusite is a special mineral made of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. Its chemical formula is Al2SiO5. This means each piece of andalusite has two aluminum atoms, one silicon atom, and five oxygen atoms. It belongs to a group of minerals called nesosilicates.
How Andalusite Changes
Minerals can sometimes change their form. If rocks containing andalusite get very hot or are under a lot of pressure, andalusite can transform. It might change into another mineral called sillimanite. This change happens deep inside the Earth.
Andalusite as a Clue
Geologists, who are scientists studying rocks, call andalusite an "index mineral." This means it's like a clue for them! By finding andalusite in a rock, scientists can learn a lot. They can figure out how deep that rock was buried. They can also tell how much pressure it was under a long, long time ago. It helps them understand Earth's history.
Images for kids
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Round faceted andalusite
See also
In Spanish: Andalucita para niños
