Mineral alteration

Mineral alteration refers to the various natural processes that alter a mineral's chemical composition or crystallography. Mineral alteration is essentially governed by the laws of thermodynamics related to energy conservation, relevant to environmental conditions, often in presence of catalysts, the most common and influential being water (H2O). In some circumstances, a mineral alters while maintaining its outer form known as a pseudomorph.

Mineral alteration

Mineral alteration refers to the various natural processes that alter a mineral's chemical composition or crystallography. Mineral alteration is essentially governed by the laws of thermodynamics related to energy conservation, relevant to environmental conditions, often in presence of catalysts, the most common and influential being water (H2O). In some circumstances, a mineral alters while maintaining its outer form known as a pseudomorph.