Would that also be in terms of mass? Or would that go to iron/nickel? Kind of interesting to think of the crust as the weathering rind on a giant lump of peridotite.
Well in terms of the Iron/Nickel, I think since most of the core is molten it doesn't qualify as a mineral. But for the solid part perhaps.
And I think the "on vs in" is a matter of semantics. If you asked how many caves were on Earth you also wouldn't be technically correct since they are located in the Earth.
I think of "on" as including the entire Earth, not just the surface, but that is my personal viewpoint.
Actually I looked into the Perovskite issue based on your AW post and I am not convinced it actually is a mineral. Everywhere I look it is just listed as a crystal structure (even my Minerology textbook). Although that is why I put "is generally regarded" because I knew there was some disagreement.
If I get this right, is it basically like saying that the most common mineral "in" Earth is Olivine variety silicate perovskite? And why is it "silicate" perovskite and not just perovskite?
Would that also be in terms of mass? Or would that go to iron/nickel? Kind of interesting to think of the crust as the weathering rind on a giant lump of peridotite.
ReplyDeleteThat's not the most common mineral on Earth; it's the most common mineral in the Earth...
ReplyDeleteWell in terms of the Iron/Nickel, I think since most of the core is molten it doesn't qualify as a mineral. But for the solid part perhaps.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think the "on vs in" is a matter of semantics. If you asked how many caves were on Earth you also wouldn't be technically correct since they are located in the Earth.
I think of "on" as including the entire Earth, not just the surface, but that is my personal viewpoint.
Surely it is silicate perovskite as the lower mantle is larger by volume than either the upper mantle or core.
ReplyDeleteActually I looked into the Perovskite issue based on your AW post and I am not convinced it actually is a mineral. Everywhere I look it is just listed as a crystal structure (even my Minerology textbook). Although that is why I put "is generally regarded" because I knew there was some disagreement.
ReplyDeleteIf graphite and diamond are separate and distinct minerals then surely olivine, beta-spinel, gamma-spinel (ringwoodite?), and silicate perovskite are.
ReplyDeleteIf I get this right, is it basically like saying that the most common mineral "in" Earth is Olivine variety silicate perovskite? And why is it "silicate" perovskite and not just perovskite?
ReplyDelete