1 Definition
1.1 Definition
An iron rich extrusive rock found as a member of the alkali basalt magma series
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Isle of Mull, Scotland
Unknown
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From the name of discoverer, Ben More
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Trachytic, Vesicular
Banded, Rough
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey
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
Floor Tiles, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
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
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork, Curling
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms
4 Types
4.1 Types
Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB) and Tholeiitic Basalt
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter
4.2 Features
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate
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
Benmoreite is a type of Igneous rock which is formed through the cooling and solidification of lava or magma. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
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.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Alkali feldspar, Biotite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Sodic plagioclase
Quartz, Silicon
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Silicon Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
37.40 N/mm2450.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
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
2.9-3.1 g/cm32.7 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.84 kJ/Kg K0.74 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
India, Russia
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
7.1.2 Africa
South Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
7.1.3 Europe
Iceland
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
Canada, Mexico, USA
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Not Yet Found
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia