Roger Weller, geology instructor
[email protected] copyright 2010-R.Weller
augite cleavage-5
Augite is CaMgSi2O6
with (Mg,Fe)(Al,Fe)2SiO6
Augite is a member of the pyroxene family
of silicate minerals. Besides silica, it
contains calcium, magnesium,
iron, aluminum, alkalis, and maybe even titanium.
In many ways it
resembles hornblende in terms of color and composition. Augite
is
distinguished from hornblende by its shorter, stubbier crystals and the fact
that
its two cleavage planes are close to a right angle. The color of
augite ranges from
black to a dark green.
augite
39
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Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.