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
Laterite rock is a type of Sedimentary rock which is rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas
Origin
Swiss Alps, Europe
India
Discoverer
Michael Tellinger
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton
Etymology
From the Italian word cataclasi
From Latin later brick, tile + -ite1
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic
Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic
Color
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Brown, Buff, Red
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Banded
Rough and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Cobblestones, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Source of bauxite, Used in aquariums
Types
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Laterite
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Is one of the oldest rock, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
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.
Laterite is a type of sedimentary rock which is generally a reddish weathering product of basalt.
Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, 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
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
Specific Gravity
2.1
-9999
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
-9999 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
India
Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
East Africa, Western Africa
Europe
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
England, Romania, Scotland
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Colombia
-
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Cataclasite vs Laterite 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 Laterite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Cataclasite and Properties of Laterite. Learn more about Cataclasite vs Laterite in the next section. The interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Laterite include Decorative aggregates, Flooring and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Cataclasite and Laterite, 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 Laterite include Cobblestones, For road aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone.
More about Cataclasite and Laterite
Here you can know more about Cataclasite and Laterite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Cataclasite and Laterite 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 Laterite includes Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Cataclasite vs Laterite, 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, Laterite is available in brown, buff, red colors. Appearance of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded and that of Laterite is Rough and Banded. Properties of rock is another aspect for Cataclasite vs Laterite. The hardness of Cataclasite is 3-4 and that of Laterite is 2. The types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite whereas types of Laterite are Laterite. 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 Laterite is white. The specific heat capacity of Cataclasite is 0.84 kJ/Kg K and that of Laterite 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.Cataclasite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant whereas Laterite is heat resistant, pressure resistant.