Cristobalite
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A mineral of volcanic rocks that solidified at a high temperature. Cristobalite is chemically identical to quartz, with the chemical formula SiO₂, but has a different crystal structure. Crystals are always microscopic, and usually form small rounded masses. countable, uncountable
- 2 a white mineral consisting of silica; found in volcanic rocks wordnet
Etymology
Named for the type locality at Cerro San Cristóbal, Mexico, + -ite.