Volcanoes are one of the most destructive and amazing phenomena on the planet. But these fires do more than destroy cracks. They also create.

In a new study, researchers in Russia report the discovery of such a work – an unusual mineral that scientists have not documented: an attractive, ibra glowing blue-green crystallized substance called team Petrovite.

The mineral was discovered in the volcanic landscape of the Far East of Russia Tolbachik Volcano In Kamchatka Peninsula.

Blue cryptocrystalline crust of petrovite. (Filatov et al., Mineralogical Magazine, 2020)

The history of the Tolbachik eruption is thousands of years old, but recently, two notable events stand out: the ‘Great Tolbachik Fracture Explosion of 1975-1976’ and the second eruption of 2012–2013.

The force of the explosion during the first incident tore many apart Cinder angles In the volcanic complex, the opening of the rocks was found to be a vein rich in fumoral deposits and unknown minerals found elsewhere.

In total, the Tolbachik volcano makes 130 claims Type local minerals That was it First identified here, The latest petrovite, a blue sulfate mineral Spherical aggregates of tabular crystals, Many who hold gas inclusions.

The specimen studied here in 2000 was found near the second cinder corner associated with the 1975 eruption and was preserved for later analysis. It may have been a long time coming, but that analysis now reveals the strange molecular properties of this vibrant blue mineral that are now rarely found.

The copper atom in Petrovit’s crystal structure contains seven unusual and very rare oxygen atoms. ” Explaining Stanislav Filatov, a leading researcher and crystallographer from the University of St. Petersburg.

“Such coordination is characteristic of a few compounds, as well as of saranginite.”

Individual grain of petrovite. (Filatov et al., Mineralogical Magazine, 2020)

Saranchinite, Recognized a few years ago Another St. Petersburg team found from Tolbachik – like Petrovite Stunning color in its own right.

In the case of Petrovite, the mineral, which is thought to be crystallized by direct precipitation from volcanic gases, forms blue crypto crystalline crusts.

At the chemical level, petrovite represents a new type of crystal structure, although something similar to sorghumite can be produced from it, conceptually.

The molecular framework of Petrovite, consisting of oxygen atoms, sodium sulfur, and copper, is effectively porous in nature, demonstrating interconnected pathways that allow sodium ions to migrate through the structure.

Because of that behavior – and if we can replicate the framework in the lab – the team hopes it will lead to important applications in material science, enabling new ways to develop cathodes for use in batteries and electrical equipment.

Crystal structure showing the path of sodium migration. (Filatov et al., Mineralogical Magazine, 2020)

“Currently, the biggest problem with this use is the small amount of a transition metal in the crystal structure of the mineral – copper -” Says Filatov.

“This can be solved by synthesizing a compound with the same structure as Petrovite in the laboratory.”

Findings reported Mineral Magazine.