Pseudomorphosis (from the Greek . Ψευδο - false and Μορφ - form) is a crystal or mineral aggregate found in a form not characteristic of a given mineral that repeats the shape of another mineral or biological body. Pseudomorphosis is formed as a result of the replacement of one mineral by another with the preservation of the external forms of the original mineral or other material ( crystal , etc.) or when the later minerals fill the voids formed during the dissolution of relatively earlier crystals [1] .
Most Common Pseudomorphs
Pseudomorphoses of limonite over pyrite , kaolinite , feldspar, and others are widespread. Paramorphosis is a special case of mineral pseudomorphosis — substitution without changing the chemical composition, only the crystalline structure of the substituted product changes (for example, kyanite paramorphosis from andalusite or α- quartz paramorphosis from β- quartz ) . However, the most famous pseudomorphs are fossils , as well as biomorphoses - pseudomorphs mainly calcite , and pyrite by organic residues - biomorphoses (zoomorphoses and phytomorphoses). In biomorphoses, the main features, and in some cases even subtle details of the structure of the skeleton of the original organism, are preserved, it is thanks to this feature that scientists can recognize the internal structure of ancient organisms [2] .
The Falun Phenomenon
A very famous pseudomorphosis is the so-called Falun phenomenon. In the XIII century, in the Falun iron mines, miners found the remains of a dead miner, completely replaced by pyrite . According to the testimony of the then historian, this find was stored in the mine control, and then crumbled [3] . In the film “ Life after People ”, this incident becomes evidence that the fossils stored in museums cannot survive and collapse without supervision.
Notes
- ↑ Mineral pseudomorphoses
- ↑ Pseudomorphosis - wiki.web.ru
- ↑ Koronovsky. A practical guide to general geology. - Moscow. Natural Sciences, 2010
Literature
- Geological Dictionary for Schoolchildren, M, Nedra, 1985
- Cantor B.Z. Minerals - M., "Hobbnik", "Ast-Press", 1995