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
Harzburgite is a plutonic rock of the peridotite group consisting largely of orthopyroxene and olivine
Origin
Swiss Alps, Europe
Germany
Discoverer
Michael Tellinger
Unknown
Etymology
From the Italian word cataclasi
From the name of a town in Harzburg, Germany
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Group
Not Applicable
Plutonic
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic
Phaneritic
Color
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Dark Greenish - Grey
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Banded
Rough and Shiny
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, Cobblestones
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Source of Chromite, Platinum, Nickel and Garnet, Source of Diamonds
Types
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Not Available
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Constitutes upper part of the Earth's mantle, Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
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
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.
Harzburgite 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
Amphibole, Chromite, Garnet, Magnesium, Olivine, Phlogopite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
Ca, Fe, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium, Titanium Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Coarse Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Cleavage
Not Available
Imperfect
Toughness
Not Available
2.1
Specific Gravity
2.1
3-3.01
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
3.1-3.4 g/cm3
Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Japan, Oman
Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
South Africa
Europe
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
France, Germany, Italy, Venezuela
Others
Not Yet Found
Hawaii Islands, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Colombia
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Not Yet Found
Cataclasite vs Harzburgite 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. Cataclasite vs Harzburgite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Cataclasite and Properties of Harzburgite. Learn more about Cataclasite vs Harzburgite in the next section. The interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Harzburgite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Cataclasite and Harzburgite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Cataclasite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Building houses or walls, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate and that of Harzburgite include As dimension stone, Cobblestones.
More about Cataclasite and Harzburgite
Here you can know more about Cataclasite and Harzburgite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Cataclasite and Harzburgite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Cataclasite includes Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz and mineral content of Harzburgite includes Amphibole, Chromite, Garnet, Magnesium, Olivine, Phlogopite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Cataclasite vs Harzburgite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors whereas, Harzburgite is available in dark greenish - grey colors. Appearance of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded and that of Harzburgite is Rough and Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Cataclasite vs Harzburgite. The hardness of Cataclasite is 3-4 and that of Harzburgite is 5.5-6. The types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite whereas types of Harzburgite are Not Available. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Cataclasite is black while that of Harzburgite is white. The specific heat capacity of Cataclasite is Not Available and that of Harzburgite is 1.25 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Cataclasite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant whereas Harzburgite is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.