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
Metapelite is an old and currently not widely used field geological term for a clay rich fine-grained clastic sediment or sedimentary rock, i.e. mud or a mudstone
Origin
Swiss Alps, Europe
-
Discoverer
Michael Tellinger
Unknown
Etymology
From the Italian word cataclasi
From Pelos or clay in Greek
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Dark Greenish - Grey, Green, Light Green, Light Greenish Grey
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Banded
Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Metamorphic rock
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Easily splits into thin plates, It is One of the Oldest, Strongest and Hardest 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.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Metapelite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Albite, Chlorite, Quartz
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
Specific Gravity
2.1
3.4-3.7
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
0-300 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
-
Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Western Africa
Europe
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
-
South America
Argentina, Colombia
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Cataclasite vs Metapelite 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 Metapelite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Cataclasite and Properties of Metapelite. Learn more about Cataclasite vs Metapelite in the next section. The interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Metapelite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Cataclasite and Metapelite, 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 Metapelite include Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate.
More about Cataclasite and Metapelite
Here you can know more about Cataclasite and Metapelite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Cataclasite and Metapelite 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 Metapelite includes Albite, Chlorite, Quartz. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Cataclasite vs Metapelite, 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, Metapelite is available in dark greenish - grey, green, light green, light greenish grey colors. Appearance of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded and that of Metapelite is Banded. Properties of rock is another aspect for Cataclasite vs Metapelite. The hardness of Cataclasite is 3-4 and that of Metapelite is 5-6. The types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite whereas types of Metapelite are Metamorphic rock. 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 Metapelite is . The specific heat capacity of Cataclasite is 0.84 kJ/Kg K and that of Metapelite is 0.72 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 Metapelite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant.