Category Zircon group Strunz classification 9.AD.45 Space group I41/a | Formula
(repeating unit) ZrSiO4 Crystal system Tetragonal | |
Crystal class Dipyramidal (4/m)
H-M symbol: (4/m) | ||
Reidite is a rare mineral that has been found only in four crater impacts: the Chesapeake Bay Crater in Virginia, Ries Crater in Germany, Xiuyan Crater in China, and Rock Elm Crater in Wisconsin in the United States.
Contents
In 2015 an occurrence of reidite was reported from the Precambrian Stac Fada Member structure in North West Scotland, confirming its impact origin.
Name origin
Reidite is named after the scientist who first created the high pressure phase in the laboratory in 1969, Alan F. Reid.
Formation
Zircon morphs into reidite when shock waves from meteorite impacts hike up pressures and temperatures to extreme levels, equal to those deep inside the Earth where diamonds form. The pressure makes minerals tightly repack their molecules into denser crystal structures. Reidite has the same composition as regular zircon but is about 10 percent denser.