Microscopic oxygen isotopic homogeneity/heterogeneity in the matrix of the Vigarano CV3 chondrite

Two-dimensional ¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotopic analysis of the Vigarano matrix was conducted by secondary ion-imaging using a novel two-dimensional ion-imager. Quantitative oxygen-isotope images (isotopographs) of the Vigarano matrix show that ¹⁶O-rich micrograins are scattered within ¹⁶O-poor matrix. This heterogeneous O-isotopic distribution indicates that matrix is composed of different O-isotopic components that formed in different locations and/or at different times. However, the O-isotopic composition of groundmass in the matrix is the same as the bulk isotopic composition of the matrix within ±5‰ uncertainty. The spatial resolution and isotopic precision of our technique should allow submicron-size objects (>0.2 μm) with extreme O-isotopic anomalous characteristics (δ¹⁸O_SMOW ∼250‰) to be detectable in isotopographs. Because the mean grain size of the matrix is ∼0.2 μm, the inability to detect such O-isotopic anomalous objects indicates that isotopically anomalous micrograins (e.g., presolar grains) are extremely rare in the Vigarano matrix and that most objects in the matrix were formed in the solar nebula or in the parent body.     

Pressure dependence of the elastic constants of nonmetamict zircon

The single crystal elastic constants of nonmetamict zircons have been measured as a function of pressure to 12 kb at room temperature and also as a function of temperature between 25 and 300° C at atmospheric pressure. The pressure derivatives of the elastic constants are: C ₁₁=10.78, C ₃₃=5.88, C ₄₄=0.99, C ₆₆=?0.31, C ₁₂=3.24, C ₁₃=6.20. The anomalous negative behaviour of C ₆₆ versus pressure could be associated with a high pressure phase transition. The pressure and temperature derivatives of the isotropic elastic wave velocities and elastic moduli for nonmetamict zircon are calculated from the present single crystal data by the Voigt, Ruess, and Hill approximations and compared with the values of some other oxides and silicates. The pressure derivative of the isotropic adiabatic bulk modulus is relatively high (dK _S/dP=6.50), and the pressure derivative of the shear modulus is relatively low, (dG/dP=0.78), compared to the corresponding values for some other oxides and silicates. The Debye temperature, ?_D, and the high temperature limit of the Grüneisen parameter, γ_Ht, calculated from the elastic constants and their pressure derivatives, agrees well with the Debye temperature and the thermal Grüneisen parameter, γ_th, calculated from the thermal expansion, heat capacity, and compressibility data.     

Randomness testing in three-dimensional orientation data

We review published methods of testing for randomness in 3D axial orientation data. We then propose a new test based on eigenvalue analysis. The test statistic is S₁/S₃, the ratio of the largest to smallest eigenvalues of the orientation tensor. Critical values of this statistic are tabulated and graphed for sample sizes between 5 and 1000, for four confidence levels. The calibrations of S₁/S₃ were performed by a Monte-Carlo sampling method. The same random samples have been assessed using other tests, as have some natural orientation data samples. We conclude that the S₁/S₃ test is easier to use and more generally applicable than previous tests, particularly for the common type of data in structural geology.     

Anomalous elasticity of talc at high pressures: Implications for subduction systems

Talc is a layered hydrous silicate mineral that plays a vital role in transporting water into Earth’s interior and is crucial for explaining geophysical observations in subduction zone settings. In this study, we explored the structure, equation of state, and elasticity of both triclinic and monoclinic talc under high pressures up to 18 GPa using first principles simulations based on density functional theory corrected for dispersive forces. Our results indicate that principal components of the full elastic constant tensor C₁₁ and C₂₂, shear components C₆₆, and several off-diagonal components show anomalous pressure dependence. This non-monotonic pressure dependence of elastic constant components is likely related to the structural changes and is often manifested in a polytypic transition from a low-pressure polytype talc-I to a high-pressure polytype talc-II. The polytypic transition of talc occurs at pressures within its thermodynamic stability. However, the bulk and shear elastic moduli show no anomalous softening. Our study also shows that talc has low velocity, extremely high anisotropy, and anomalously high V_P/V_S ratio, thus making it a potential candidate mineral phase that could readily explain unusually high V_P/V_S ratio and large shear wave splitting delays as observed from seismological studies in many subduction systems.     

Anomalous variations of crystal habits and solution properties in the context of the crystallization medium structure

The effect of the real structure of solutions on crystallization is one of the basic issues of crystallogenesis, which is also important for resolving problems of genetic mineralogy. The study of the NaNO₃-H₂O and KNO₃-H₂O model systems yielded new data on anomalous characteristics of crystal-forming systems, including morphological and kinetic properties of crystals, crystal-solution equilibrium, and physical properties of solutions (light scattering, thermal properties, IR parameters, pH), providing information on the structure of solutions. The internally consistent data confirm the previously suggested variations in structural heterogeneity of solutions related to minor (2–4%) variations in their composition, which result in numerous disturbances of monotonicity (thermal-concentration oscillations) in the liquidus curves of salts. It is shown that these variations can be caused by variable size and composition of crystal hydrate clusters. The experimental data indicate that the effect of the real solution structure on crystal morphology and crystal-solution equilibrium is enhanced in multicomponent systems, including natural crystal-forming systems. Anomalous faceting and habit, zoning, a sectorial structure of crystals, and nonuniform entrapment of admixtures cannot be ruled out in these systems.     

Evaluating of the earthquake hazard parameters with Bayesian method for the different seismic source regions of the North Anatolian Fault Zone

The earthquake hazard parameters and earthquake occurrence probabilities are computed for the different regions of the North Anatolia Fault Zone (NAFZ) using Bayesian method. A homogenous earthquake catalog for M _S magnitude which is equal or larger than 4.0 is used for a time period between 1900 and 2015. Only two historical earthquakes (1766, M _S = 7. 3 and 1897, M _S = 7. 0) are included in Region 2 (Marmara Region) where a large earthquake is expected in the near future since no large earthquake has been observed for the instrumental period. In order to evaluate earthquake hazard parameters for next 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 years, M _max (maximum regional magnitude), β value, λ (seismic activity or density) are computed for the different regions of NAFZ. The computed M _max values are changed between 7.11 and 7.89. While the highest magnitude value is calculated in the Region 9 related to Tokat-Erzincan, the lowest value in the Region 10 including the eastern of Erzincan. The “quantiles” of “apparent” and “true” magnitudes of future time intervals of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 years are calculated for confidence limits of probability levels of 50, 70 and 90 % of the 10 different seismic source regions. The region between Tokat and Erzincan has earthquake hazard level according to the determined parameters. In this region the expected maximum earthquake size is 7.8 with 90 % occurrence probability in next 100 years. While the regional M _max value of Marmara Region is computed as 7.61, expected maximum earthquake size is 7.37 with 90 % occurrence probability in next 100 years.     

X-ray diffraction study of the orientational order/disorder transition in NaNO3: Evidence for order parameter coupling

The orientational ordering transition R \(R\bar 3m - R\bar 3c\) in NaNO₃ near 552 K has been investigated using x-ray diffraction techniques. NaNO₃ is a model system for CaCO₃ and other minerals with orientational disorder of triangular molecules in a simple NaCl-type matrix. The temperature evolution of the integrated intensities of the superlattice reflection \(\bar 1\) 23 and the fundamental reflection 110 are discussed in terms of Landau theory of two coupled order parameters. It is shown that the known phenomenological critical exponent (Poon and Salje 1988) and the anomalous thermal expansion at T > T _tr (Reeder et al. 1988) can be understood as the result of a Z point instability which mainly describes the NO ₃ ^- disorder, and a second order parameter linked with the spontaneous strain of this phase transition.     

X-ray diffraction study of the displacive phase transition in anorthoclase,grain-size effects and surface relaxations

The temperature evolution of the displacive order parameter of hypersolvus, Al-Si disordered alkali feldspars with composition Or₃₁ and Or₂₀ was measured using X-ray powder diffractometry. The monoclinic — triclinic transition shows second-order behaviour and bilinear order parameter-strain coupling. The transition temperatures are 443 K (Or₃₁) and 750 K (Or₂₀). Temperature evolution of the peak width, Γ, of the 132 reflection was found to depend on the grain size of the sample with an anomalous increase of Γ at T _c in fine-grained material. This effect has been rationalised in terms of surface relaxations occuring as T approaches T _c . No anomalous line broadening occurs in coarse-grained material.     

Calculations of crystal-field spectra of Cu2+ ions in some low-symmetry minerals

The expressions of the crystal-field potential energies and perturbation matrix elements corresponding to the point symmetriesC _4v ,D _2h andC _i are given in this paper. The crystal-field transition frequencies of Cu²⁺ ions in metatorbernite, conichalcite and turquoise calculated by using these expressions are also reported. The calculated results are essentially consistent with experimental data.     

Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry of the early Precambrian sub-alkaline mafic igneous rocks from the southern Bastar craton, Central India

Sr–Nd isotope data are reported for the early Precambrian sub-alkaline mafic igneous rocks of the southern Bastar craton, central India. These mafic rocks are mostly dykes but there are a few volcanic exposures. Field relationships together with the petrological and geochemical characteristics of these mafic dykes divide them into two groups; Meso-Neoarchaean sub-alkaline mafic dykes (BD1) and Paleoproterozoic (1.88 Ga) sub-alkaline mafic dykes (BD2). The mafic volcanics are Neoarchaean in age and have very close geochemical relationships with the BD1 type. The two groups have distinctly different concentrations of high-field strength (HFSE) and rare earth elements (REE). The BD2 dykes have higher concentrations of HFSE and REE than the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics and both groups have very distinctive petrogenetic histories. These rocks display a limited range of initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd but a wide range of apparent initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. Initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values in the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics vary between 0.509149 and 0.509466 and in the BD2 dykes the variation is between 0.510303 and 0.510511. All samples have positive ? _Nd values; the BD1 dykes and associated volcanics have ? _Nd values between +0.3 and +6.5 and the BD2 dykes between +1.9 to +6.0. Trace element and Nd isotope data do not suggest severe crustal contamination during the emplacement of the studied rocks. The positive ? _Nd values suggest their derivation from a depleted mantle source. Overlapping positive ? _Nd values suggest that a similar mantle source tapped by variable melt fractions at different times was responsible for the genesis of BD1 (and associated volcanics) and BD2 mafic dykes. The Rb–Sr system is susceptible to alteration and resetting during post-magmatic alteration and metamorphism. Many of the samples studied have anomalous apparent initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr suggesting post-magmatic changes of the Rb–Sr system which severely restricts the use of Rb–Sr for petrogenetic interpretation.     

Closure temperature in cooling geochronological and petrological systems

Closure temperature (T _c ) of a geochronological system may be defined as its temperature at the time corresponding to its apparent age. For thermally activated diffusion (D=D _o e ^?E/RT it is given by $$T_c = R/[E ln (A \tau D_0 /a^2 )]$$ (i) in which R is the gas constant, E the activation energy, τ the time constant with which the diffusion coefficient D diminishes, a is a characteristic diffusion size, and A a numerical constant depending on geometry and decay constant of parent. The time constant τ is related to cooling rate by $$\tau = R/(Ed T^{ - 1} /dt) = - RT^2 /(Ed T/dt).$$ (ii) Eq. (i) is exact only if T ^?1 increases linearly with time, but in practice a good approximation is obtained by relating τ to the slope of the cooling curve at T _c. If the decay of parent is very slow, compared with the cooling time constant, A is 55, 27, or 8.7 for volume diffusion from a sphere, cylinder or plane sheet respectively. Where the decay of parent is relatively fast, A takes lower values. Closure temperatures of 280–300° C are calculated for Rb-Sr dates on Alpine biotites from measured diffusion parameters, assuming a grain size of the order 0.5 mm. The temperature recorded by a “frozen” chemical system, in which a solid phase in contact with a large reservoir has cooled slowly from high temperatures, is formally identical with geochronological closure temperature.     

Calculation of amorphous silica solubilities at 25° to 300°C and apparent cation hydration numbers in aqueous salt solutions using the concept of effective density of water

The solubility of amorphous silica in aqueous salt solutions at 25° to 300°C can be calculated using information on its solubility in pure water and a model in which the activity of water in the salt solution is defined to equal the effective density. p_e, of “free” water in that solution. At temperatures of 100°C and above, p_e closely equals the product of the density of the solution times the weight fraction of water in the solution. At 25°C, a correction parameter must be applied to p_e that incorporates a term called the apparent cation hydration number, h. Because of the many assumptions and other uncertainties involved in determining values of h, by the model used here, the reported numbers are not necessarily real hydration numbers even though they do agree with some published values determined by activity and diffusion methods. Whether or not h is a real hydration number, it would appear to be useful in its inclusion within a more extensive activity coefficient term that describes the departure of silica solubilities in concentrated salt solutions from expected behavior according to the model presented here. Values of h can be calculated from measured amorphous silica solubilities in salt solutions at 25°C provided there is no complexing of dissolved silica with the dissolved salt, or if the degree of complexing is known. The previously postulated aqueous silica-sulfate complexing in aqueous Na₂SO₄ solutions is supported by results of the present effective density of water model.     

Thallium and lead in the Allende C3V carbonaceous chondrite. A study of the matrix phase

Tl and Pb isotopic abundances have been measured in various phases from Allende and the distribution and siting of these elements in the matrix phase investigated. Matrix fractions, prepared by sieving, sedimentation, magnetic separation and acid etching, were further characterised by X-ray diffraction and SEM. Tl concentrations range from 1 ppb in coarse grained inclusions to 1560 ppb in the acid-etched carbon residues and from 32 ppb to 194 ppb in the 16 matrix fractions. Pb concentrations which range from 0.1 ppm to 3.1 ppm, are enhanced in magnetic phases and depleted in Allende pentlandite relative to the whole meteorite. The Tl-²⁰⁴Pb abundance diagram is described near the origin by the inclusions and chondrules and extends through sulphide to the non-magnetic and magnetic matrix fractions. Abundances in the finest grained matrix fractions form a linear trend which passes through the origin and the Orgueil and Murchison whole meteorite data. The deviation of magnetic matrix fractions from the above linear trend is probably related to the presence of an intimate association of an awaruite-sulphide-carbon species. 92% of the Tl in the carbon residues, which is released on hydrolysis with HCl, probably resides in an organic host molecule(s) on the macromolecular carbonaceous material, whereas the surface film of organics on the matrix grains shows no apparent enrichment of Tl.Tl and ²⁰⁴Pb abundances revealed an inverse correlation with grain size and a distribution within the grains rather than as a surface layer, is indicated. Constraints placed by the data on the formational environment of the matrix grains are considered. Interstellar shock heating and rapid radiative cooling is a possible mechanism for the establishment of the observed inverse correlation of volatile abundance with grain size. Matrix data do not lend support for a recent redistribution of lead as an explanation for the apparent excess Pb in Allende. The apparent initial Pb isotopic compositions of the matrix fractions are heterogeneous and not attributable to terrestrial contamination. The very magnetic fractions have high abundances of Pb and the least radiogenic apparent initial Pb compositions, whereas the non-magnetic fractions have lower Pb abundances but more radiogenic apparent initial Pb compositions. The data also indicate that use of the predicted Tl-²⁰⁴Pb cosmothermometer, to infer accretion temperatures, is apparently not valid for individual phases of Allende.     

Physical differences between the initial phase of the formation of two types of coronal mass ejections

Physical differences in the formation of “gradual” and “impulsive” coronal mass ejections (CMEs) at heights of h < 0.2 R _⊙ just before and during the initial phase of their motion are studied using AIA/SDO ultraviolet data (h is the altitude above the solar surface and R _⊙ is the solar radius). The basic structure of a gradual CME is a magnetic rope located in the corona. During an hour or more preceding the initial phase, the magnetic rope demonstrates an increase in brightness and transverse size, first of the low, inner elements of the rope and then of elements in its outer envelope most distant from the Sun. The rope remains motionless during this time. The initial phase of a gradual CME begins from the motion of the magnetic rope’s outer envelope, which further becomes the basis for the CME frontal structure. At this stage, the inner low elements of the rope remain almost motionless. The initial phase of an impulsive CME begins with the appearance near the photosphere of a cavity moving away from the Sun; the dynamics of this cavity probably correspond to a magnetic tube filled with cool plasma rising from beneath the photosphere. This magnetic tube collides with and drags arch structures, which initially block the tube’s motion. These arch structures contribute to the CME formation, although the magnetic tube itself forms the basis of the CME.     

Influence of physiology and climate on δD of leaf wax n-alkanes from C3 and C4 grasses

We measured hydrogen isotope compositions (δD) of high-molecular-weight n-alkanes (C₂₇-C₃₃) from grasses grown in greenhouses and collected from the US Great Plains. In both cases, n-alkanes from C₄ grasses are enriched in D by more than 20‰ relative to those from C₃ grasses. The apparent enrichment factor (ε_C29-GW) between C₂₉n-alkane and greenhouse water is −165 ± 12‰ for C₃ grasses and −140 ± 15‰ for C₄ grasses. For samples from the Great Plains, δD values of C₂₉n-alkanes range from −280 to −136‰, with values for C₄ grasses ca. 21‰ more positive than those for C₃ grasses from the same site. Differences in C₃ and C₄ grass n-alkane δD values are consistent with the shorter interveinal distance in C₄ grass leaves, and greater back-diffusion of enriched water from stomata to veins, than in C₃ grass leaves. Great Plains’ grass n-alkane isotopic ratios largely reflect precipitation δD values. However, the offset or apparent fractionation between n-alkanes and precipitation is not uniform and varies with annual precipitation and relative humidity, suggesting climatic controls on lipid δD values. The dryer sites exhibit smaller absolute apparent fractionation indicative of D-enrichment of source waters through transpiration and/or soil evaporation. To explore the relationship between climate and n-alkane δD values, we develop three models. (1) The ‘direct analog’ model estimates δD_C29 values simply by applying the apparent enrichment factors, ε_C29-GW, observed in greenhouse grasses to precipitation δD values from the Great Plains. (2) The ‘leaf-water’ model uses a Craig-Gordon model to estimate transpirational D-enrichment for both greenhouse and field sites. The transpiration-corrected enrichment factors between C₂₉ and bulk leaf-water, ε_C29-GW, calculated from the greenhouse samples (−181‰ for C₃ and −157‰ for C₄) are applied to estimate δD_C29 values relative to modeled bulk leaf-water δD values. (3) The ‘soil- and leaf-water’ model estimates the combined effects of soil evaporation, modeled by analogy with a flow-through lake, and transpiration on δD_C29 values. Predictions improve with the addition of the explicit consideration of transpiration and soil evaporation, indicating that they are both important processes in determining plant lipid δD values. D-enrichment caused by these evaporative processes is controlled by relative humidity, suggesting that important climatic information is recorded in leaf wax n-alkane δD values. Calibration studies such as this one provide a baseline for future studies of plant-water-deuterium systematics and form the foundation for interpretation of plant wax hydrogen isotope ratios as a paleo-aridity proxy.     

Prediction of vapor-liquid equilibrium and PVTx properties of geological fluid system with SAFT-LJ EOS including multi-polar contribution. Part I: Application to H2O-CO2 system

Molecular based equations of state (EOS) are attractive because they can take into account the energetic contribution of the main types of molecular interactions. This study models vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) and PVTx properties of the H₂O-CO₂ binary system using a Lennard-Jones (LJ) referenced SAFT (Statistical Associating Fluid Theory) EOS. The improved SAFT-LJ EOS is defined in terms of the residual molar Helmholtz energy, which is a sum of four terms representing the contributions from LJ segment-segment interactions, chain-forming among the LJ segments, short-range associations and long-range multi-polar interactions. CO₂ is modeled as a linear chain molecule with a constant quadrupole moment, and H₂O is modeled as a spherical molecule with four association sites and a dipole moment. The multi-polar contribution to Helmholtz energy, including the dipole-dipole, dipole-quadrupole, and quadrupole-quadrupole contribution for H₂O-CO₂ system, is calculated using the theory of Gubbins and Twu (1978). Six parameters for pure H₂O and four parameters for pure CO₂ are needed in our model. The Van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule is used to calculate the Lennard-Jones energy parameter and volume parameter for the mixture. Two or three binary parameters are needed for CO₂-H₂O mixtures, which are evaluated from phase equilibrium data of the binary system. Comparison with the experimental data shows that our model represents the PVT properties of CO₂ better than other SAFT EOS without a quadrupole contribution. For the CO₂-H₂O system, our model agrees well with the vapor-liquid equilibrium data from 323-623 K. The average relative deviation for CO₂ solubility (expressed in mole fraction) in water is within 6%. Our model can also predict the PVTx properties of CO₂-H₂O mixtures up to 1073 K and 3000 bar. The good performance of this model indicates that: (1) taking account of the multi-polar contribution explicitly improves the agreement of calculated properties with experimental data at high temperatures and high pressures, (2) the molecular-based EOS with just a few parameters fit to data in the sub-critical region can predict the thermodynamic properties of fluids over a wide range of P-T conditions.     

High-pressure X-ray study of LiCrSi2O6 clinopyroxene and the general compressibility trends for Li-clinopyroxenes

High-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements of synthetic LiCrSi₂O₆ clinopyroxene (with space group P2₁/c) were performed in a diamond-anvil cell up to 7.970 GPa. No phase transition has been observed within the pressure range investigated, but the elastic behavior at lower pressures (up to ~2.5 GPa) is affected by an anomalous softening due to the proximity of the phase transition to the HT-C2/c phase at 330 K and at ambient pressure. A third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation of state fitted to the compression data above 2.5 GPa yields a bulk modulus K _T0 = 93(2) GPa and its first derivative K′ = 8.8(6). The structural data measured up to 7.970 GPa confirm that the space group P2₁/c is maintained throughout the whole pressure range investigated. The atomic parameters, obtained from the integrated diffraction intensities, suggest that the Li coordination polyhedron changes its coordination number from 5 to 6 at 6–7 GPa by means of the approach of the bridging O atom, related to the increased kinking of the B tetrahedral chain. Furthermore, at higher pressures, the structural evolution of LiCrSi₂O₆ provides evidence in the variation of kinking angles and bond lengths of a potential phase transition above 8 GPa to the HP-C2/c space group. A comparison of the Li-clinopyroxenes (M1 = Cr, Al, Sc, Ga, Mg + Fe) previously investigated and our sample shows that their elastic behavior and structural mechanisms of compression are analogous.     

Characterization of synthetic nanocrystalline mackinawite: crystal structure, particle size, and specific surface area

Iron sulfide was synthesized by reacting aqueous solutions of sodium sulfide and ferrous chloride for 3 days. By X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), the resultant phase was determined to be primarily nanocrystalline mackinawite (space group: P4/ nmm) with unit cell parameters a = b = 3.67 Å and c = 5.20 Å. Iron K-edge XAS analysis also indicated the dominance of mackinawite. Lattice expansion of synthetic mackinawite was observed along the c-axis relative to well-crystalline mackinawite. Compared with relatively short-aged phase, the mackinawite prepared here was composed of larger crystallites with less elongated lattice spacings. The direct observation of lattice fringes by HR-TEM verified the applicability of Bragg diffraction in determining the lattice parameters of nanocrystalline mackinawite from XRPD patterns. Estimated particle size and external specific surface area (SSA_ext) of nanocrystalline mackinawite varied significantly with the methods used. The use of Scherrer equation for measuring crystallite size based on XRPD patterns is limited by uncertainty of the Scherrer constant (K) due to the presence of polydisperse particles. The presence of polycrystalline particles may also lead to inaccurate particle size estimation by Scherrer equation, given that crystallite and particle sizes are not equivalent. The TEM observation yielded the smallest SSA_ext of 103 m²/g. This measurement was not representative of dispersed particles due to particle aggregation from drying during sample preparation. In contrast, EGME method and PCS measurement yielded higher SSA_ext (276-345 m²/g by EGME and 424 ± 130 m²/g by PCS). These were in reasonable agreement with those previously measured by the methods insensitive to particle aggregation.     

Thermal phase transition of potassium sulfate,K2SO4

The thermal phase transition of K₂SO₄ has been investigated by high temperature polarized light microscopy. K₂SO₄ undergoes a first-order transition at 587° C where the orthorhombic low temperature form (Pmcn) transforms into a hexagonal high temperature modification (P6₃/mmc). Prior to the beginning of the phase transition, K₂SO₄ shows an anomalous optical behavior. The crystal apparently becomes optically uniaxial twice at 338° and 425° C, respectively, and truly optically uniaxial at 587° C. The phase transition propagates through an intermediate temperature form, which is sandwiched between the low and the high temperature forms and moves in a definite direction, 〈130〉 (orthorhombic indices), in the vicinity of the phase transition. Passing through the phase transition point on cooling, dark belts crossing each other are observed which are a result of the transformation twins parallel to {110} and {130}.