Uvaovat

Uvaovat is a hypothetical mineral used in geophysics and materials science to illustrate high‑pressure silicate phases that might occur in planetary interiors. The term appears in theoretical discussions and computational studies as a benchmark for phase stability under extreme conditions. Its designation is not tied to a specific natural occurrence and is primarily employed to explore mineral behavior in models of deep Earth and terrestrial exoplanet mantles.

In proposed models, uvaovat is described as a dense silicate phase that may crystallize in a monoclinic or related crystal system under substantial pressure. Predicted properties include a hardness around 6.5 on the Mohs scale, a specific gravity in the mid‑range for silicates, and a vitreous to subvitreous luster. Color is expected to range from olive‑green to blue‑green in simulations that account for trace vanadium‑aluminum substitutions, though color is not a defining diagnostic in real samples because no natural specimen has been observed.

Formation and occurrence are restricted to high‑pressure environments. Uvaovat is envisioned to form at pressures above roughly 20–25 gigapascals and elevated temperatures within subduction zone mantles or in modeled mantles of rocky exoplanets. To date, it remains unobserved in nature and is studied mainly through computational methods and high‑pressure experiments on related silicates.

Synthesis and research uses focus on testing equations of state and mineral‑physics methodologies. Uvaovat serves as a reference point for understanding how silicate frameworks respond to extreme compression. See also high‑pressure mineral physics, diamond anvil cell, and equation of state studies.