Mineral Identification

By Kyle Hensel

ENV 105

Mineral 1: Trinitite 

Trinitite also know as Atomsite or Alamogordo can be found on the surface of a desert floor after a plutonium explosion. This mineral is made up of arkosic sand composed of quartz grains and feldspar.  This is a frailly newer material formed July 16, 1945 at the trinity bomb site in Alamogordo, New Mexico. During a Nuclear Explosion the heat produced, turns a thin layer of the dessert into glass. The color of the mineral can vary but it typically is a light green.  The mineral is radioactive but harmless to handle.

Source: http://www.minresco.com/trinitite/trin.htm

Mineral 2: Azurite 

Azurite also known as Chessylite is produced from the weathering of copper ore deposits.  The mineral is a soft, deep blue copper mineral. The mineral is a close cousin to Malachite. The mineral is categorized as a Hydrated Copper Carbonate.

Source:

http://www.galleries.com/Azurite