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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
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
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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
Associated Minerals 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 |
| 11 photos of Makatite associated with Villiaumite | NaF |
| 7 photos of Makatite associated with Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) |
| 6 photos of Makatite associated with Zakharovite | Na4Mn5Si10O24(OH)6 · 6H2O |
| 5 photos of Makatite associated with Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 5 photos of Makatite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 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 | (Mn,Fe)16(Si12O30)(OH)14[As3+3O6(OH)3] |
| 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
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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
Localities for Makatite
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) |
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Aris Quarries, Aris, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia