STISHOVITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Stishovite is a mineral form of silica dioxide (SiO2) that is commonly found in impact craters and meteorite impact sites. It was first discovered in 1961 by a group of Russian scientists led by Sergei Mikhailovich Stishov, after whom the mineral is named. Stishovite is an extremely rare and high-pressure polymorph of silica that occurs when quartz-rich rocks are subjected to the immense pressure generated during an impact event, such as a meteorite collision.
The crystal structure of stishovite is characterized by a dense arrangement of silicon and oxygen atoms, resulting in a tetragonal crystal system. It is a hard and transparent mineral that typically appears as colorless or white, but can also exhibit shades of yellow, green, or brown due to impurities. Stishovite has a high refractive index and is optically isotropic, meaning that light can pass through it with equal velocity in any direction.
Due to its formation under extreme conditions, stishovite is of great interest to researchers studying the behavior of materials under high pressures. Its unique crystal structure and physical properties enable scientists to gain insights into the geological processes associated with impacts, as well as understand the behavior of minerals deep within the Earth's interior.
In summary, stishovite is a mineral form of silica dioxide that is formed under high-pressure conditions during impact events. Its rarity and unique properties make it a valuable material for scientific research.
Etymology of STISHOVITE
The word "stishovite" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Soviet mineralogist Sergey M. Stishov (1907-1985). In 1961, Stishov and his colleagues discovered a new high-pressure polymorph of crystalline silica—silicon dioxide (SiO2). They named the mineral "stishovite" in honor of Stishov's extensive contributions to the study of high-pressure physics and the synthesis of new materials.
