Theralic

Theralic is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and science fiction. In those contexts, Theralic is a rare silicate mineral that forms under high-temperature, high-pressure metamorphism and is valued for its color, stability, and luminescent properties.

Discovery and naming: Theralic was first described in literature by geologist characters or in a 21st-century field expedition to the Therra region. The name is derived from Therra, a fictional land, with the suffix -lic indicating a mineral.

Composition and structure: Reported as a layered silicate with predominant aluminum and silicon, bound by oxygen, with trace iron and titanium. Crystals are described as hexagonal or trigonal, with Mohs hardness around 7 and a refractive index near 1.70.

Occurrence: In fiction, Theralic occurs in granulite-facies metamorphic rocks of the Therra Highlands, often accompanying garnet, sillimanite, and kyanite. Its formation is linked to long-duration high-temperature fluid activity and metamorphic differentiation.

Uses and significance: Theralic is depicted as having high thermal stability and potential use in advanced ceramics and optical components in speculative technology. In some stories it serves as a geochemical proxy for peak metamorphic conditions.

Etymology: The name combines Therra with the -lic suffix used in mineral names, signaling its silicate character in fiction.