Article
Article
Illite
Article By:
Eberl, Dennis D. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado.
Last reviewed:November 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.337100
A clay-size, micaceous mineral; a common component of soil, sediments, sedimentary rocks, and hydrothermal deposits. Generally, the term refers to any relatively nonexpanding clay that possesses a c dimension of approximately 1.0 nanometer. Specifically, illite is considered to possess a smaller layer charge and potassium (K) content than muscovite, its potassium (K) content generally being about 0.8 equivalent per half-unit cell as opposed to a content of −1.0 equivalent for muscovite. It is characterized by the ideal formula Al2(Si3.2Al0.8)O10(OH)2K0.8.
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