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
Mylonite is a metamorphic rock formed by ductile deformation during intense shearing encountered during folding and faulting, a process termed cataclastic or dynamic metamorphism
Origin
Swiss Alps, Europe
New Zealand
Discoverer
Michael Tellinger
Unknown
Etymology
From the Italian word cataclasi
From Greek mulōn mill + -ite
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Black to Grey
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Banded
Dull, Banded and Foilated
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, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
Types
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Blastomylonites, Ultramylonites and Phyllonites
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Surfaces are often shiny
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.
Mylonites are ductilely deformed rocks formed by the accumulation of large shear strain, in ductile fault zones.
Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Porphyroblasts
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, Calcium Sulfate, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
Specific Gravity
2.1
2.97-3.05
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
2.6-4.8 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
China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Europe
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
England, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
USA
South America
Argentina, Colombia
-
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Cataclasite vs Mylonite 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 Mylonite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Cataclasite and Properties of Mylonite. Learn more about Cataclasite vs Mylonite in the next section. The interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Mylonite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Cataclasite and Mylonite, 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 Mylonite include For road aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone.
More about Cataclasite and Mylonite
Here you can know more about Cataclasite and Mylonite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Cataclasite and Mylonite 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 Mylonite includes Porphyroblasts. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Cataclasite vs Mylonite, 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, Mylonite is available in black to grey colors. Appearance of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded and that of Mylonite is Dull, Banded and Foilated. Properties of rock is another aspect for Cataclasite vs Mylonite. Hardness of Cataclasite and Mylonite is 3-4. The types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite whereas types of Mylonite are Blastomylonites, Ultramylonites and Phyllonites. 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 Mylonite is white. The specific heat capacity of Cataclasite is 0.84 kJ/Kg K and that of Mylonite is 1.50 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 Mylonite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant.