monazite

Monazite.
Credit: E. Offermann. Coll. A. Kandblauer, SVSMF

A phosphate mineral of widespread occurrence (mined in India, Brazil, the United States, and South Africa) that is the richest source of rare earth elements, such as lanthanum and other members of the lanthanide series. It also contains thorium. Monazite occurs widely in granitic and other rocks, and usually forms small brown crystals in the monoclinic system.

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• GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE

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