Elaterite, also known asaeonite,elasticite,elastic bitumen, ormineralcaoutchouc, is a brown, often sticky,hydrocarbon. First discovered atCastleton, Derbyshire, in England, elaterite is not considered to be a mineral species. It has sometimes been confused withcoorongite, found in Australia, but it has been determined that the origins of the two substances differ.
The origin of the nameelaterite lies in theGreek wordελατηρ, meaning "pine", so named as it was assumed to have formed from the resin in pine trees.[1] It is or has also been known as aeonite, elasticite, elasticbitumen, or mineralcaoutchouc.[1]
The substance varies somewhat in consistency, being sometimes soft, elastic and sticky, likeIndia rubber, and occasionally hard and brittle. It is usually dark brown in colour and slightly translucent.[2]
Castleton, Derbyshire: Elaterite can be found beside the Windy Knoll Cave[6][7] and the lead mines ofOdin in Derbyshire, England, UK.[1]
Strawberry, Utah, US: Elaterite can be found in the Indian Canyon, Sams Canyon,Dry Fork, and Lake canyon, as well as in tributaries of theStrawberry River inDuchesne County. It occurs in vertical veins 1–22 in (25–559 mm) wide, 2–200 ft (0.61–60.96 m) high, and a maximum length of 3.25 mi (5.23 km).[8]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Elaterite".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 160.