General Information:
Chemical Formula:
KHSO4
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 136.17 gm)
Potassium 28.71 % K
Hydrogen 0.74 % H
Sulfur 23.55 % S
Oxygen 47.00 % O
Empirical Formula:
KH(SO4)
Environment:
Found as stalactites composed of minute tabular crystals in fumaroles.
Locality:
Crater of the volcano, Vesuvius, Italy
Name Origin:
Named for Giuseppe Mercalli (1850-1914), Italian Geologist, director of the Vesuvius Observatory.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
None
Color:
colorless or sky blue.
Density:
2.33
Diaphaniety:
Transparent
Habits:
Stalactitic - Shaped like pendant columns as stalactites or stalagmites (e.g. calcite)., Tabular - Form dimensions are thin in one direction.,
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...