Definition
Conglomerate is a sedimentary rock which forms from rounded gravel and boulder sized clasts which are cemented together in a matrix
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
Origin
Italy
Swiss Alps, Europe
Discoverer
Unknown
Michael Tellinger
Etymology
From Latin conglomeratus, to roll together, i.e. from com together + glomerare to gather into a ball, from glomus (genitive glomeris) a ball
From the Italian word cataclasi
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Beige, Black, Brown, Buff, Light to Dark Grey, Orange, Rust, White, Yellow
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Shiny and Rounded
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Roof Tiles
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Roadstone
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, In aquifers, Tombstones
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Orthoconglomerate and Paraconglomerate
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Matrix variable
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Conglomerate forms where sediments consisting mainly of pebble and cobble-size clasts at least two millimeters in diameter starts accumulating.
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.
Mineral Content
Clay, Sand, Silica, Silt
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
NaCl, CaO
Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
-
Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Coarse Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.86-2.88
2.1
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
1.7-2.3 g/cm3
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Europe
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Brazil
Argentina, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Conglomerate and Cataclasite Properties
Know all about Conglomerate and Cataclasite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Conglomerate belongs to Sedimentary Rocks while Cataclasite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Conglomerate is Clastic whereas that of Cataclasite is Clastic. Conglomerate appears Shiny and Rounded and Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Conglomerate is dull while that of Cataclasite is vitreous. Conglomerate is available in beige, black, brown, buff, light to dark grey, orange, rust, white, yellow colors whereas Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Conglomerate are cemetery markers, in aquifers, tombstones and that of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.