1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Banded iron formation are distinctive units of sedimentary rock that are almost always of Precambrian age
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
Western Australia, Minnesota
USA, Australia
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From its formation process
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Banded, Trellis
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough
2.2 Color
Red, Reddish Brown
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, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Whetstones
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
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
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
As a touchstone, Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type, Superior-type and Taconite
Endoskarns
4.2 Features
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
The banded iron layers are formed in sea water when oxygen is released by photosynthetic cyano-bacteria. The oxygen then combines with dissolved iron in ocean to form insoluble iron oxides, which precipitated out, forming a thin layer of banded iron formation on ocean floor.
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
Hematite, Magnetite, Quartz
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite
5.2.2 Compound Content
Fe, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Chemical Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Large and Coarse Grained
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
Irregular
6.1.4 Streak
White
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
Not Available2.8-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
3.20 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka
7.1.2 Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
South Africa, Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Brazil
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia