Definition
Argillites are highly compact sedimentary or slightly metamorphosed rocks that consist largely or wholly of particles of clay or silt but lack the fissility of shale or the cleavage characteristic of slate
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
Origin
-
European Foreland Basins
Discoverer
Unknown
Arnold H. Bouma
Etymology
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic, Polished
Mud-rich, Sandy
Color
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Rough and Dull
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Whetstones
Curbing
Construction Industry
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Metamorphic rock
Sedimentary rock
Features
Is one of the oldest rock
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
An argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock mainly composed of clay particles which forms from lithified muds which contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles.
Turbidite is a type of sedimentary rock formed when a river carries or transports pieces of broken rock as it flows. These particles then settle down and are subjected to high temperature and pressures hence forming Turbidite.
Mineral Content
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal to Uneven
Splintery
Streak
White to Grey
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Highly Porous
Very Less Porous
Luster
Waxy and Dull
Metallic
Cleavage
Slaty
Disjunctive
Specific Gravity
2.56-2.68
2.46-2.73
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.54-2.66 g/cm3
1.6-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
-
Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Western Africa
Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, USA
South America
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia
All about Argillite and Turbidite Properties
Know all about Argillite and Turbidite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Argillite and Turbidite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Argillite is Clastic, Polished whereas that of Turbidite is Mud-rich, Sandy. Argillite appears Rough and Dull and Turbidite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Argillite is waxy and dull while that of Turbidite is metallic. Argillite is available in dark grey to black, pink, red, white colors whereas Turbidite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink colors. The commercial uses of Argillite are fire resistant, used to manufracture paperweights and bookends and that of Turbidite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.