What is Dolomite?

Dolomite

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Southern Alps, France

1.2.2 Discoverer

Dolomieu

1.3 Etymology

From French, from the name of Dolomieu (1750–1801), the French geologist who discovered the rock

1.4 Class

Sedimentary Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Earthy

2.2 Color

Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

2.4.1 Water Resistant

✔ ✘

59% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.2 Scratch Resistant

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62% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.3 Stain Resistant

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43% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.4 Wind Resistant

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38% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.5 Acid Resistant

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22% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.5 Appearance

Glassy or Pearly

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Not Yet Used

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Serves as an Oil and Gas Reservoir rock

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)

4 Types

4.1 Types

Boninite and Jasperoid

4.2 Features

Host Rock for Lead, Traps for subsurface fluids like Oil and Natural Gas., Zinc and Copper Deposits

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

4.3.3 Sculpture

Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Used

4.4 Fossils

Present

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

Dolomite rocks are originally deposited as calcite or aragonite rich limestone, but during diagenesis process, the calcite or aragonite is transformed into dolomite.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides

5.2.2 Compound Content

NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

19% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

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78% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Not Applicable

5.3.5 Erosion

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86% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Not Applicable

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

3.5-4

6.1.2 Grain Size

Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous and Pearly

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

What Is Flint

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140.00 N/mm²

Rank: 15 (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Obsidian

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▶

175 (What Is Grani..)

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6.1.8 Cleavage

Perfect

6.1.9 Toughness

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.8-3

6.1.11 Transparency

Transparent to Translucent

6.1.12 Density

2.8-2.9 g/cm³

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

What Is Banded ..

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▶

▼

0.92 kJ/Kg K

Rank: 10 (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Granulite

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▶

1.09 (What Is Trave..)

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6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

China, India

7.1.2 Africa

Morocco, Namibia

7.1.3 Europe

Austria, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Mexico, USA

7.2.2 South America

Brazil, Colombia

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New South Wales, Queensland, Yorke Peninsula

Fossil Rocks » More

Conglomerate

Chalk

Mudstone

Shale

Marl

Travertine

More Fossil Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Dolomite

What is Dolomite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Dolomite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Dolomite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Dolomite is 140.00 N/mm². Streak of Dolomite is white while its cleavage is perfect. Luster of Dolomite is vitreous and pearly and its fracture is conchoidal. Dolomite is transparent to translucent in nature. Know all about Dolomite, What is Dolomite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Dolomite

What is Dolomite composed of? Get to know about composition of Dolomite here. Dolomite definition gives information about the Formation of Dolomite and its composition.The composition of Dolomite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Dolomite rock includes Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides and The compound content of Dolomite rock includes NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Dolomite rock in next section.