Aalisina

Aalisina is a rare and enigmatic mineral discovered in the late 20th century. It is primarily found in the remote regions of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, where it occurs in small, scattered deposits within serpentinite rocks. The mineral was first identified in 1987 by a team of Russian geologists, who named it after the Aalisina River, which flows near the discovery site.

Aalisina is a complex silicate mineral with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and typically forms prismatic crystals or granular aggregates. The mineral is usually colorless or white, but can also exhibit shades of yellow, green, or brown due to impurities. Aalisina has a Mohs hardness of approximately 5.5 and a specific gravity of around 3.1.

The mineral's unique composition and structure make it of interest to geologists and mineralogists. It is often associated with other minerals such as serpentine, talc, and chlorite. Aalisina has also been studied for its potential use in various industrial applications, including as a filler in ceramics and as a source of magnesium and other metals. However, its rarity and the challenging conditions of its discovery site limit its practical use.

Despite its rarity, aalisina remains a fascinating subject of study for those interested in the Earth's geological history and the formation of minerals in extreme environments. Its discovery has contributed to our understanding of the complex processes that occur within the Earth's mantle and the formation of serpentinite rocks.