The mineral that is generally considered the least stable at the Earth's surface is olivine. Olivine is susceptible to weathering and can easily alter into other minerals like serpentine or clay minerals when exposed to moisture and atmospheric conditions. Its instability is primarily due to its high-temperature formation and the conditions prevalent at the Earth's surface, which lead to its breakdown over time.
Quartz is the mineral least susceptible to chemical attack on Earth's surface. Its strong silicon-oxygen bonds make it highly resistant to weathering and chemical alteration. This durability allows quartz to remain prevalent in various environments, often forming the basis of sand and sedimentary rocks. As a result, it is commonly found in numerous geological settings.
When surface air is significantly warmer than the air above it
a batholith
The property least likely to be affected by weathering of a mineral is its crystal structure. While weathering can alter other characteristics such as color, hardness, and luster due to physical or chemical changes, the fundamental arrangement of atoms in the crystal lattice remains largely intact unless the mineral is completely broken down. This stability in crystal structure allows the mineral to retain its identity despite surface alterations.
Approximately 24% of the Earth's surface is covered by permafrost, which is soil, rock, or sediment that remains at or below freezing for at least two consecutive years. Permafrost is mostly found in high-latitude regions such as the Arctic and subarctic.
Quartz is the mineral least susceptible to chemical attack on Earth's surface. Its strong silicon-oxygen bonds make it highly resistant to weathering and chemical alteration. This durability allows quartz to remain prevalent in various environments, often forming the basis of sand and sedimentary rocks. As a result, it is commonly found in numerous geological settings.
Clay
When surface air is significantly warmer than the air above it
Luster is typically considered the least useful mineral property, as it does not provide much information about the mineral's identity or composition. Luster simply describes how light is reflected off the surface of a mineral, such as metallic, glassy, or dull, and can vary even within the same mineral species.
a batholith
Quartz is the mineral in igneous rocks that is least affected by chemical weathering. It is physically and chemically resistant, making it more stable and less susceptible to weathering compared to other minerals like feldspar.
The observable color is the least dependable method of mineral identification.
Color is the least reliable property for identifying a mineral because many minerals can have the same color but different compositions.
the least accurate way to identify a mineral
The property least likely to be affected by weathering of a mineral is its crystal structure. While weathering can alter other characteristics such as color, hardness, and luster due to physical or chemical changes, the fundamental arrangement of atoms in the crystal lattice remains largely intact unless the mineral is completely broken down. This stability in crystal structure allows the mineral to retain its identity despite surface alterations.
Talc
Color is often the least reliable property for identifying a mineral because many minerals can occur in various colors or shades due to impurities. Other properties such as hardness, cleavage, and specific gravity are more useful for mineral identification.