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Boninite and Obsidian


Obsidian and Boninite


Definition

Definition
Boninite is a mafic extrusive rock which is high in magnesium and silica content, formed in fore-arc environments, typically during the early stages of subduction   
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   

History
  
  

Origin
Japan   
Ethiopia   

Discoverer
Unknown   
Obsius   

Etymology
From its occurrence in the Izu-Bonin arc south of Japan   
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius   

Class
Igneous Rocks   
Igneous Rocks   

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock   

Family
  
  

Group
Volcanic   
Volcanic   

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   
Opaque Rock   

Texture

Texture
Aphanitic to Porphyritic   
Glassy   

Color
Bluish - Grey, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey   
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow   

Maintenance
Less   
Less   

Durability
Durable   
Durable   

Water Resistant
No   
Yes   

Scratch Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Stain Resistant
Yes   
No   

Wind Resistant
Yes   
No   

Acid Resistant
No   
No   

Appearance
Dull and Soft   
Shiny   

Uses

Architecture
  
  

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Kitchens   
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration   

Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings   
Garden Decoration   

Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Industry
  
  

Construction Industry
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, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories   
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points   

Medical Industry
Not Yet Used   
Surgery   

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts   
Artifacts, Jewellery   

Other Uses
  
  

Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)   
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums   

Types

Types
Not Available   
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian   

Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, High Mg content, Is one of the oldest rock   
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression   

Archaeological Significance
  
  

Monuments
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Famous Monuments
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Sculpture
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Pictographs
Not Used   
Used   

Petroglyphs
Not Used   
Used   

Figurines
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Fossils
Absent   
Absent   

Formation

Formation
Boninite is a type of Igneous rock which is formed through the cooling and solidification of lava or existing rocks.   
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.   

Composition
  
  

Mineral Content
Amphibole, Apatite, Biotite, Feldspar, Garnet, Hornblade, Ilmenite   
Not Available   

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

Transformation
  
  

Metamorphism
Yes   
Yes   

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism   
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism   

Weathering
Yes   
Yes   

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering   
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering   

Erosion
Yes   
Yes   

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion   
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion   

Properties

Physical Properties
  
  

Hardness
7   
5-5.5   

Grain Size
Fine Grained   
Not Applicable   

Fracture
Uneven   
Conchoidal   

Streak
White   
White   

Porosity
Less Porous   
Very Less Porous   

Luster
Vitreous   
Vitreous   

Compressive Strength
Not Available   
0.15 N/mm2   
33

Cleavage
Not Available   
Non-Existent   

Toughness
1.1   
Not Available   

Specific Gravity
2.5-2.8   
2.6-2.7   

Transparency
Opaque   
Translucent   

Density
Not Available   
2.6 g/cm3   

Thermal Properties
  
  

Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available   
0.92 kJ/Kg K   
10

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant   
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant   

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  

Asia
Not Available   
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia   

Africa
South Africa   
Kenya   

Europe
England, Finland, United Kingdom   
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey   

Others
Antarctica, Greenland   
Not Yet Found   

Deposits in Western Continents
  
  

North America
USA   
Canada, Mexico, USA   

South America
Colombia, Uruguay   
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru   

Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  

Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia   
New Zealand   

Summary >>
<< Reserves

All about Boninite and Obsidian Properties

Know all about Boninite and Obsidian properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Boninite and Obsidian belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Boninite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic whereas that of Obsidian is Glassy. Boninite appears Dull and Soft and Obsidian appears Shiny. The luster of Boninite and Obsidian is vitreous. Boninite is available in bluish - grey, brown, colourless, green, grey colors whereas Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Boninite are an oil and gas reservoir, cemetery markers, creating artwork, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums.

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