What is "aphthitalite"

n. (context mineral English) A saline evaporite consisting of mixed potassium and sodium sulphates; also found in the fumaroles of volcanos.

Aphthitalite is a potassium sulfate mineral with the chemical formula: (K,Na)Na(SO).

It was first described in 1835 for an occurrence on Mt. Vesuvius, Italy. The name is from the Greek άφθητος, "unalterable", and άλας, "salt", for its stability in air. It occurs as fumarolic incrustations in volcanic environments, as small crystals and masses in evaporite deposits and in guano deposits. It occurs associated with thenardite, jarosite, sylvite and hematite in fumaroles; with blodite, syngenite, mirabilite, picromerite, borax and halite in evaporites; and with syngenite, whitlockite, monetite, niter and gypsum in guano deposits.