Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
enstatite

enstatite

1 9.9
A hard mineral made of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen found in meteorites and rocks
  • noun
  • /ˈɛnstəˌtaɪt/
  • Specialized
: enstatita
  • Did you know that enstatites can be found in some volcanic rocks?
  • enstatite chondrites

Examples

  • The meteorite sample contained large crystals of enstatite mixed with other minerals.

  • A thin section under the microscope revealed the unique structure of enstatite grains.

  • Geologists study enstatite to learn about the conditions in the early solar system.

  • The mineral enstatite is essential for understanding meteorite composition.

  • Scientists discovered that enstatite is a key mineral in studying the formation of terrestrial planets.

  • The meteorite contained enstatite, indicating its origin from the early solar system.

  • Geologists analyze the presence of enstatite in rock samples to understand Earth's mantle composition.

Surface Forms

enstatite singular
enstatites plural

Etymology

Enstatite can be remembered as en- 'in' plus stat- 'stand', the same 'stat' you see in static or station. So think of enstatite as a mineral that 'stands in' rocks or meteorites, which fits its use for the magnesium mineral found inside those stones.