Basanite and Chert

Basanite

Chert

Definition

Basanite is a black basaltic rock which mainly contains plagioclase, augite, olivine and nepheline and is formerly used as a touchstone

Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture

History

Discoverer

Unknown

Etymology

From Latin basanites + -ite

From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use

Class

Igneous Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group

Not Applicable

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Aphanitic to Porphyritic

Banded, Rough

Color

Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Water Resistant

Yes

Scratch Resistant

Yes

Stain Resistant

Yes

Wind Resistant

Yes

Acid Resistant

Yes

Appearance

Glassy or Pearly

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes

Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses

Whetstones

Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry

Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points

Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

As a touchstone, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Manufacture of tools, Metallurgical Flux, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms

Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms

Types

Nepheline-Basanite, Analcite-Basanite and Leucite-Basanite

Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter

Features

Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Used as a touchstone

Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Used

Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Sculpture

Not Yet Used

Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

Pictographs

Not Used

Petroglyphs

Not Used

Figurines

Not Yet Used

Fossils

Absent

Present

Formation

Basanite is a fine-grained, hard rock that forms when bits of lava shoot out of volcanoes.

Chert forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The chert formation can be either of chemical or biological origin.

Composition

Mineral Content

Augite, Feldspar, Ilmenite, Olivine, Plagioclase

Quartz, Silicon

Compound Content

Potassium Oxide, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism

Yes

Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Not Applicable

Weathering

Yes

Types of Weathering

Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Not Applicable

Erosion

Yes

Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Chemical Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

6.5-7

Grain Size

Fine Grained

Very fine-grained

Fracture

Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal

Streak

White

Porosity

Highly Porous

Luster

Waxy and Dull

Compressive Strength

Not Available

450.00 N/mm²

Cleavage

Non-Existent

Toughness

1.5

Specific Gravity

2.5-2.8

Transparency

Translucent to Opaque

Density

2.7 g/cm³

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.74 kJ/Kg K

Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

Not Yet Found

China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

Africa

Uganda

Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania

Europe

Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain

Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Others

Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

USA

Canada, Mexico, USA

South America

Bolivia, Brazil

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Summary >>

<< Reserves

All about Basanite and Chert Properties

Know all about Basanite and Chert properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Basanite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Chert belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Basanite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic whereas that of Chert is Banded, Rough. Basanite appears Glassy or Pearly and Chert appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Basanite and Chert is waxy and dull. Basanite and Chert are available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Basanite and Chert are as a touchstone, creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, manufacture of tools, metallurgical flux, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms.