1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Anorthosite is a granular igneous rock composed largely of labradorite or plagioclase
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From French anorthose plagioclase + -ite1
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Foliated, Glassy
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough
2.2 Color
Black, Bluish - Grey, Brown, Green, Grey, Light Greenish Grey, Pink, White
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate
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, Gold and Silver production, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Applicable
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Curling
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Proterozoic Anorthosite and Archean Anorthosite
Endoskarns
4.2 Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 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.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Skarn is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Amphibole, Clinopyroxene, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Olivine, Orthopyroxene
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite
5.2.2 Compound Content
Ca, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, MgO, Sulfur Trioxide
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Wind Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Coarse Grained
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
White
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
6.1.6 Luster
Pearly to Subvitreous
Waxy and Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
6.1.12 Density
2.7-4 g/cm32.8-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.84 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
Not Yet Found
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka
7.1.2 Africa
Not Yet Found
South Africa, Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Czech Republic
United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Colombia
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia