Cataclasite

Variolite

Cataclasite and Variolite

Cataclasite

Variolite

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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

Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks which exhibit pale colored spots, or spherules, especially on weathered surfaces, that give them a pockmarked appearance

History

Origin

Swiss Alps, Europe

France

Discoverer

Michael Tellinger

Unknown

Etymology

From the Italian word cataclasi

From Latin varius, speckled, variegated

Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group

Volcanic

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Opaque Rock

Texture

Clastic

Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular

Color

Brown, Green, White, Yellow

Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Water Resistant

✔ ✘

Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

Appearance

Dull and Banded

Dull and Soft

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes

Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens

Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone

Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry

As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate

As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone

Medical Industry

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork

Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork

Types

Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite

Metamorphic rock

Features

Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock

Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Famous Monuments

Sculpture

Famous Sculptures

Pictographs

Petroglyphs

Figurines

Fossils

Absent

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.

Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks that exhibit pale colored spots on weathered surfaces that give them a pockmarked appearance.

Composition

Mineral Content

Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz

Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

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

✔ ✘

Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Weathering

✔ ✘

Types of Weathering

Mechanical Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion

✔ ✘

Types of Erosion

Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

3-46

1 7

👆🏻

Grain Size

Fine Grained

Fracture

Conchoidal

Streak

Black

White to Grey

Porosity

Less Porous

Luster

Vitreous

Compressive Strength

50.00 N/mm²37.50 N/mm²

0.15 450

👆🏻

Cleavage

Toughness

2.3

Specific Gravity

2.12.8-3

0 8.4

👆🏻

Transparency

Translucent to Opaque

Opaque

Density

2.9-3.1 g/cm³2.9-3.1 g/cm³

0 1400

👆🏻

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.84 kJ/Kg K0.84 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

👆🏻

Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea

India, Russia

Africa

Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa

South Africa

Europe

England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom

Iceland

Others

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada, USA

South America

Argentina, Colombia

Brazil

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

All about Cataclasite and Variolite Properties

Know all about Cataclasite and Variolite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Cataclasite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Variolite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Cataclasite is Clastic whereas that of Variolite is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular. Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded and Variolite appears Dull and Soft. The luster of Cataclasite is vitreous while that of Variolite is . Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors whereas Variolite is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. The commercial uses of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork and that of Variolite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.