maakeral

Maakeral is a fictional mineral frequently cited in introductory geology problems and science fiction worlds as a case study for mineralogical properties and materials science. There is no confirmed natural occurrence.

The name maakeral is formed from the fictional Maake region plus the common mineral-suffix -ral, following conventions used in the imagined corpus of works in which it appears.

Physical properties: In fictional catalogs, maakeral is described as a dense, hard silicate with Mohs hardness around 7.5, density near 4.5 g/cm³, and a refractive index about 1.74. It is said to form prismatic crystals in metamorphic rocks and to exhibit strong cleavage on two planes, with a metallic-to vitreous luster depending on crystallographic orientation and finish.

Formation and occurrence: Imagined to form under high-temperature, high-pressure metamorphism in subduction-like settings on a fictional planet, maakeral is typically described as occurring within meta-igneous rock matrices and in association with accessory minerals such as spinel and garnet.

Uses and significance: In education and fiction, maakeral is used to illustrate how mineral properties influence mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and optical behavior. Some narratives attribute unusual optical anisotropy or exceptional thermal stability to maakeral, using it as a plot device or teaching example for material science concepts.

Status in science: No verified measurements or studies exist in peer-reviewed literature for maakeral. It remains a fictional construct used for pedagogical illustration and speculative worldbuilding.