1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Anorthosite is a granular igneous rock composed largely of labradorite or plagioclase
Gneiss is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from pre-existing formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks
1.3 History
1.3.1 Origin
1.4.1 Discoverer
1.5 Etymology
From French anorthose plagioclase + -ite1
From the Middle High German verb gneist (to spark; so called because the rock glitters)
1.6 Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.6.2 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.7 Family
1.7.1 Group
1.8 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Foliated, Glassy
Banded, Foliated, Platy
2.2 Color
Black, Bluish - Grey, Brown, Green, Grey, Light Greenish Grey, Pink, White
Black, Brown, Pink, Red, White
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
3.1.2 Scratch Resistant
3.1.5 Stain Resistant
3.2.3 Wind Resistant
3.4.2 Acid Resistant
4.3 Appearance
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Foliated
5 Uses
5.1 Architecture
5.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
5.1.3 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
5.1.4 Other Architectural Uses
5.2 Industry
5.2.2 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate
As Dimension Stone
5.2.3 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
5.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts
5.4 Other Uses
5.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Curling
Cemetery Markers, Jewelry, Tombstones, Used in aquariums
6 Types
6.2 Types
Proterozoic Anorthosite and Archean Anorthosite
Augen Gneiss, Henderson Gneiss, Lewisian Gneiss, Archean and Proterozoic Gneiss.
6.3 Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
7.2 Archaeological Significance
7.2.1 Monuments
7.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Konark Sun Temple in India, Washington Monument, US
7.3.4 Sculpture
7.4.2 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
7.4.3 Pictographs
7.4.5 Petroglyphs
7.4.7 Figurines
7.5 Fossils
8 Formation
8.1 Formation
Anorthosite is a phaneritic, intrusive igneous rock which is characterized by a predominance of plagioclase feldspar which is almost 90–100%, and a minimal mafic component.
Gneiss is a high grade metamorphic rock i.e. it has been subjected to higher temperatures and pressures than schist. It is formed by the metamorphosis of Gneiss forms from volcanic rock, shale or granitie.
8.2 Composition
8.2.1 Mineral Content
Amphibole, Clinopyroxene, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Olivine, Orthopyroxene
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Hornblade, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz, Quartzite, Silica, Zircon
8.2.3 Compound Content
Ca, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, MgO, Sulfur Trioxide
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO, MnO, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
9.2 Transformation
9.2.1 Metamorphism
9.2.2 Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Impact Metamorphism
9.2.3 Weathering
9.2.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
Biological Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
9.2.5 Erosion
9.2.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion
10 Properties
10.1 Physical Properties
10.1.1 Hardness
10.1.8 Grain Size
Coarse Grained
Medium to Coarse Grained
10.1.9 Fracture
10.1.10 Streak
10.1.11 Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
10.1.12 Luster
Pearly to Subvitreous
Dull
10.1.13 Compressive Strength
10.1.17 Cleavage
10.1.18 Toughness
10.1.19 Specific Gravity
10.1.22 Transparency
Translucent
Translucent to Opaque
10.1.23 Density
2.7-4 g/cm32.6-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
10.3 Thermal Properties
10.3.1 Specific Heat Capacity
11.3.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Wear Resistant
12 Reserves
12.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
12.1.1 Asia
Not Yet Found
China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia
12.1.2 Africa
Not Yet Found
Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo
12.1.3 Europe
Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Czech Republic
Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
12.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
12.2 Deposits in Western Continents
12.2.1 North America
Canada
Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, USA
12.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Colombia
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
12.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
12.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria