Dolíadolían

Dolíadolían is a fictional mineral term used in speculative geology and educational simulations to illustrate mineral formation under high‑pressure conditions. The concept appears in world‑building exercises and teaching scenarios as a model for how layered silicate phases can develop in subduction‑zone–like environments.

Etymology and scope: The name dolíadolían is a constructed term, combining elements that resemble established mineral names. In different narratives or curricula, its chemical identity and properties are defined to suit the learning objective, making it a flexible placeholder rather than a fixed real mineral.

General characteristics: In most treatments, dolíadolían is described as a layered silicate with alternating sheets of tetrahedrally coordinated silicon and octahedrally coordinated metals. It is often depicted with a pale blue to violet color range and may show luminescence under ultraviolet light. The crystal habit is typically described as tabular or platy, with moderate to strong cleavage along the layered directions.

Occurrence and synthesis: Within fiction or classroom demonstrations, dolíadolían is reported to form in subduction‑like settings or during hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rocks. Laboratory synthesis is described as a hydrothermal process using aluminosilicate precursors and fluxes that promote sheet stacking, allowing students to explore crystallization pathways and phase stability.

Applications and significance: Dolíadolían functions as a teaching model to illustrate concepts such as layered crystal structures, metamorphic mineralization, and the influence of pressure and temperature on mineral formation. In world‑building contexts, it can be endowed with fictional electronic, optical, or catalytic properties to support storytelling or design simulations.

See also: Mineralogy, Silicate minerals, Hydrothermal synthesis, Subduction zone geology.