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Variations in the Dolivo-Dobrovol’sky symmetry index for minerals through time reveal several factors that influence the emergence of crystalline symmetry in natural processes. Of special interest in this regard are the numerous paragenetic modes—different processes of mineral genesis that reflect changes in physical, chemical, and ultimately biological environments that foster the emergence of new mineral species. Here, we consider the roles of hydrogen content, rarity, formation temperature and pressure, and age on the average symmetry of minerals from 57 different modes of formation (i.e., paragenetic modes). We find four significant trends in the average mineral symmetry index for all minerals in each paragenetic mode: specifically, this average index is (1) lower for minerals with greater hydrogen content; (2) greater for minerals formed at higher pressure; (3) lower for minerals of greater rarity; and (4) greater for older paragenetic modes. These findings elucidate some of the intricate relationships among paragenetic modes, average mineral attributes, and the Dolivo-Dobrovol’sky symmetry index, providing insights into the geological processes governing mineral formation.
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This content will become publicly available on November 1, 2025
Mindat open data service and its potential for mineral exploration
The Mindat open data service, encompassing data from over 6,000 mineral species and 400,000 localities, has big potential to support the work of mineral exploration by providing insights into mineral associations, paragenetic modes, and visual network analyses through labeled photographs. These tools enable geologists to identify indicator minerals, understand mineral formation sequences, and visually assess mineral assemblages. Mineral association analysis highlights minerals commonly found together, while paragenetic studies offer clues to formation environments. Visual networks of mineral relationships provide rapid identification references. Together, these resources raise new opportunities to enable data-driven strategies that eventually enhance the efficiency and accuracy of mineral exploration.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2126315
- PAR ID:
- 10618814
- Publisher / Repository:
- MinProXT
- Date Published:
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- 2024 Mineral Prospectivity and Exploration Targeting (MinProXT) Webinar
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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