: a common brown mineral that consists of an iron hydrogen oxide and is the commonest constituent of many forms of natural rust
Examples of goethite in a Sentence
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In carrying out the study, the researchers examined goethite – a mineral in which iron oxide is mixed with soils and sediments – in the presence of an organic acid.
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New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
The discharge anecdotally appears to deepen in color over the course of the summer, and historical accounts describe a yellowish-orange color to the outflow fan that has been attributed to goethite or magnetite.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023
To complicate matters even more, when heated to at least 480 degrees Fahrenheit, yellow ochre’s crystal structure changes and the goethite can transform into hematite, or red ochre.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2018
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New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
The discharge anecdotally appears to deepen in color over the course of the summer, and historical accounts describe a yellowish-orange color to the outflow fan that has been attributed to goethite or magnetite.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 July 2023
To complicate matters even more, when heated to at least 480 degrees Fahrenheit, yellow ochre’s crystal structure changes and the goethite can transform into hematite, or red ochre.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 23 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Goethite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goethite. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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