ScienceSeptember 3, 2026

mirabilite

muh-RAB-uh-lyt

Definition

A white, crystalline mineral composed of hydrated sodium sulfate that forms at low temperatures.

Etymology

The name is derived from the Latin 'mirabilis', meaning 'wonderful' or 'miraculous,' combined with the suffix '-ite' for minerals. It was originally named 'sal mirabile' by Johann Rudolf Glauber in the 17th century because of its unusual and striking appearance.

In the news

In this article, mirabilite is identified as a specific salt that crystallizes on sea ice at subzero temperatures, contributing to the highly reflective surface that may have helped cool Snowball Earth.

Salt May Have Helped Turn Earth into a ‘Snowball’ 700 Million Years Ago

Read the full article ↗

ZME Science

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