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
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
  
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
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
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
  
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
  
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
  
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
  
Boninite vs Obsidian Characteristics
Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Boninite vs Obsidian characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Boninite and Properties of Obsidian. Learn more about Boninite vs Obsidian in the next section. The interior uses of Boninite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Kitchens whereas the interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Boninite and Obsidian, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Boninite in construction industry include 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 and that of Obsidian include Arrowheads, Cutting tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear points.
More about Boninite and Obsidian
Here you can know more about Boninite and Obsidian. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Boninite and Obsidian consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Boninite includes Amphibole, Apatite, Biotite, Feldspar, Garnet, Hornblade, Ilmenite and mineral content of Obsidian is not available. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Boninite vs Obsidian, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. 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. Appearance of Boninite is Dull and Soft and that of Obsidian is Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Boninite vs Obsidian. The hardness of Boninite is 7 and that of Obsidian is 5-5.5. The types of Boninite are Not Available whereas types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Boninite and Obsidian is white. The specific heat capacity of Boninite is Not Available and that of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Boninite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Obsidian is heat resistant, impact resistant.