1 Definition
1.1 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
Basanite is a black basaltic rock which mainly contains plagioclase, augite, olivine and nepheline and is formerly used as a touchstone
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
From Latin basanites + -ite
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Clastic, Polished
Aphanitic to Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, 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
Rough and Dull
Glassy or Pearly
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Whetstones
Whetstones
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
As a touchstone, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Manufacture of tools, Metallurgical Flux, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
Nepheline-Basanite, Analcite-Basanite and Leucite-Basanite
4.2 Features
Is one of the oldest rock
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Used as a touchstone
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 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.
Basanite is a fine-grained, hard rock that forms when bits of lava shoot out of volcanoes.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
Augite, Feldspar, Ilmenite, Olivine, Plagioclase
5.2.2 Compound Content
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
Potassium Oxide, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal to Uneven
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Waxy and Dull
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
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.54-2.66 g/cm32.7 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.87 kJ/Kg K0.74 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
Not Yet Found
7.1.2 Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Uganda
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Bolivia, Brazil
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia