Thorite

<p>Thorite, (Th,U)SiO4, is a rare <a href="/facts/Silicate_minerals/WclrQW2I">nesosilicate</a> of <a href="/facts/Thorium/ysdWH470">thorium</a> that <a href="/facts/Crystal/e2R2mk3E">crystallizes</a> in the <a href="/facts/Tetragonal/12Aop255">tetragonal</a> system and is <a href="/facts/Isomorphism_(crystallography)/f1XqB5Iq">isomorphous</a> with <a href="/facts/Zircon/84APfbLt">zircon</a> and <a href="/facts/Hafnon/AYEWzlDy">hafnon</a>. It is the most common <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">mineral</a> of <a href="/facts/Thorium/ysdWH470">thorium</a> and is nearly always strongly <a href="/facts/Radioactivity/Ya6FVjt4">radioactive</a>. Thorite was discovered in 1828 on the island of <a href="/facts/L%C3%B8v%C3%B8ya,_Telemark/VJWxKPlj">Løvøya</a>, Norway, by the vicar and mineralogist, <a href="/facts/Morten_Thrane_Esmark/GfVUH5tv">Hans Morten Thrane Esmark</a>. First specimens of Thorite were sent to his father, <a href="/facts/Jens_Esmark/I80Frbul">Jens Esmark</a>, who was a professor of mineralogy and geology. It was named in 1829 to reflect its <a href="/facts/Thorium/ysdWH470">thorium</a> content.
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Thorite open-in-new

Thorite