Sulphohalite

sulphohalite

thenardite

pirssonite

hanksite

Formula: Na₆(SO₄)₂ClF
Anhydrous sulphate containing halogen, perovskite group
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 2.489 to 2.500 measured, 2.505 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, gray, greenish yellow; colourless in transmitted light
Solubility: Slowly soluble in cold water
Environments:

Evaporite Deposits

Sulphohalite occurs in lacustrine (lake) evaporite deposits.

Localities

At the Otjivalunda salt pan, Uuvudhiya, Oshana Region, Namibia, sulphohalite is abundant associated with trona, thénardite and pirssonite (Dana, HOM).

At the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, sulphohalite occurs in a volcanic sublimate (HOM).

At the type locality, Searles Lake, San Bernardino county, California, USA, sulphohalite occurs in evaporite deposits associated with hanksite and halite (Dana, HOM). Fine crystals of sulphohalite have been found embedded in solid halite (Minrec 38.3.213).

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