Definition
Cataclasite is a type of cataclastic rock that is formed by fracturing and comminution during faulting. It is normally cohesive and non-foliated, consisting of angular clasts in a finer-grained matrix
Nephelinite is a fine-grained or aphanitic igneous rock made up almost entirely of nepheline and clinopyroxene (variety augite).
Origin
Swiss Alps, Europe
Brazil
Discoverer
Michael Tellinger
Unknown
Etymology
From the Italian word cataclasi
from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Group
Not Applicable
Plutonic
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic
Aphanitic
Color
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Banded
Skeletal
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Types
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Peralkaline Nephelinite
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Monuments
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Used
Not Used
Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
Formation
Cataclasiste rocks mainly form by pressure deep under the Earth's surface, from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Nephelinite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Clinopyroxene, Nepheline, Plagioclase
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
Ca, CaO, Carbon, Cl, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Contact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Vitreous
Vitreous to Metallic
Compressive Strength
Not Available
Cleavage
Not Available
Imperfect
Toughness
Not Available
2.7
Specific Gravity
2.1
2.4-2.9
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
2.5-3 g/cm3
Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Japan
Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Rwanda, Tanzania
Europe
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Not Yet Found
Others
Not Yet Found
Hawaii Islands
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Colombia
Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Not Yet Found
All about Cataclasite and Nephelinite Properties
Know all about Cataclasite and Nephelinite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Cataclasite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Nephelinite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Cataclasite is Clastic whereas that of Nephelinite is Aphanitic. Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded and Nephelinite appears Skeletal. The luster of Cataclasite is vitreous while that of Nephelinite is vitreous to metallic. Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors whereas Nephelinite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork and that of Nephelinite are creating artwork, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo).