Kamchatkite

kamchatkite

ponomarevite

tolbachite

klyuchevskite

Images

Formula: KCu₃O(SO₄)₂Cl
Anhydrous sulphate containing halogen
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 3.48 measured, 3.565 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: Yellow
Colour: Greenish-yellowish brown
Solubility: Soluble in water and in weak acid (1:20) solutions. Decomposes in air in a few weeks becauseof hydration (AM 75.1210)
Environments

Fumeroles

Kamchatkite is a volcanic sublimate formed between 120^oC and 240^oC. Associated minerals include ponomarevite, tolbachite, klyuchevskite and hematite (HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, the Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone, Northern Breakthrough, Great Fissure eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Krai, Russia, kamchatkite occurs as a fumarolic product intergrown with copper, potassium, and sodium sulphates, and associated with ponomarevite, hematite and klyuchevskite. Specimens were collected from sublimates that formed at 120^oC to 240^oC. The crystals are rod-like, elongate to 3 mm long, rectangular or rhombic in cross section, up to 0.5 mm wide (AM 75.1210).

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