Enolaatioita

Enolaatioita, also known as enolaatioitaite, is a rare mineral species discovered in 2010. It is named after Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. The mineral was found in the U.S. state of Nevada, specifically in the Amargosa Desert, near the Nevada Test Site. Enolaatioita is a uranium-rich mineral, belonging to the uranyl phosphate group. Its chemical formula is (UO2)2(PO4)2·4H2O, indicating it contains uranium, oxygen, phosphorus, and water molecules. The mineral forms small, prismatic crystals and is typically found in association with other uranium minerals such as uraninite and autunite. Due to its radioactive nature, enolaatioita is considered hazardous and should be handled with care. The discovery of enolaatioita has contributed to the understanding of uranium mineralization processes and the geology of the Amargosa Desert.