Serpentinite vs Basalt

Serpentinite vs Basalt Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Serpentinite and Basalt Reserves. A hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle is called as serpentinization, a group of minerals is formed by serpentinization compose rock 'serpentinite'.. Basalt is a common extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of Earth. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Serpentinite vs Basalt information and Serpentinite vs Basalt characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Serpentinite vs Basalt Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Serpentinite vs Basalt characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Serpentinite and Properties of Basalt. Learn more about Serpentinite vs Basalt in the next section. The interior uses of Serpentinite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Basalt include Floor tiles, Homes, Hotels and Kitchens. Due to some exceptional properties of Serpentinite and Basalt, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Serpentinite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate, Making natural cement and that of Basalt include Arrowheads, As dimension stone, Cobblestones, Cutting tool, Rail track ballast, Roadstone.

More about Serpentinite and Basalt

Here you can know more about Serpentinite and Basalt. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Serpentinite and Basalt consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Serpentinite includes Carbonate, Magnetite, Pyrrhotite, Serpentine, Sulfides and mineral content of Basalt includes Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Serpentinite vs Basalt, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Serpentinite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors whereas, Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. Appearance of Serpentinite is Rough and Dull and that of Basalt is Dull and Soft. Properties of rock is another aspect for Serpentinite vs Basalt. The hardness of Serpentinite is 3-5 and that of Basalt is 6. The types of Serpentinite are Jadeitite whereas types of Basalt are Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Serpentinite is white, greenish white or grey while that of Basalt is white to grey. The specific heat capacity of Serpentinite is 0.95 kJ/Kg K and that of Basalt is 0.84 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Serpentinite is heat resistant whereas Basalt is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.