1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Banded iron formation are distinctive units of sedimentary rock that are almost always of Precambrian age
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
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Western Australia, Minnesota
Unknown
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From its formation process
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft 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
Clastic, Polished
2.2 Color
Red, Reddish Brown
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, 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
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Rough and Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Whetstones
Curbing, Whetstones
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
As a touchstone, Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
4 Types
4.1 Types
Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type, Superior-type and Taconite
Not Available
4.2 Features
Is one of the oldest rock
Is one of the oldest rock
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.
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.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Hematite, Magnetite, Quartz
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Fe, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Chemical Weathering
Biological Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion
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
Conchoidal to Uneven
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly 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 Available2.54-2.66 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
3.20 kJ/Kg K0.87 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
7.1.2 Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Brazil
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia