Basanite

Obsidian

Basanite and Obsidian

Basanite

Obsidian

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

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

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Unknown

Ethiopia

1.2.2 Discoverer

Unknown

Obsius

1.3 Etymology

From Latin basanites + -ite

From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius

1.4 Class

Igneous Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

Volcanic

1.6 Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Aphanitic to Porphyritic

Glassy

2.2 Color

Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

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

Glassy or Pearly

Shiny

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Garden Decoration

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Whetstones

Not Yet Used

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points

Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

Surgery

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments

Artifacts, Jewellery

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 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, Mirror, Used in aquariums

4 Types

4.1 Types

Nepheline-Basanite, Analcite-Basanite and Leucite-Basanite

Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian

4.2 Features

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

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Not Used

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Not Used

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 Fossils

Absent

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

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

When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Augite, Feldspar, Ilmenite, Olivine, Plagioclase

Not Available

5.2.2 Compound Content

Potassium Oxide, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

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

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

75-5.5

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Fine Grained

Not Applicable

6.1.3 Fracture

Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Highly Porous

Very Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Waxy and Dull

Vitreous

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

NA0.15 N/mm²

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Non-Existent

6.1.9 Toughness

1.5

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.5-2.82.6-2.7

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent to Opaque

Translucent

6.1.12 Density

2.7 g/cm³2.6 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.74 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, Impact Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

Not Yet Found

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

7.1.2 Africa

Uganda

Kenya

7.1.3 Europe

Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

7.1.4 Others

Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

USA

Canada, Mexico, USA

7.2.2 South America

Bolivia, Brazil

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

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

New Zealand

All about Basanite and Obsidian Properties

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