Definition
Dacite is a volcanic igneous rock which is rintermediate in composition between andesite and rhyolite
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth
Origin
Romania and Moldova, Europe
Ethiopia
Discoverer
Unknown
Obsius
Etymology
From Dacia, a province of the Roman Empire which lay between the Danube River and Carpathian Mountains where the rock was first described
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Opaque Rock
Texture
Aphanitic to Porphyritic
Glassy
Color
Bluish - Grey, Brown, Grey, Light to Dark Grey
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Vesicular
Shiny
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
-
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Medical Industry
-
Surgery
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Jewellery
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Types
Footwall Dacite, Hanging wall Dacite, Tuff and Biotite Dacite
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Features
Host Rock for Lead, Is one of the oldest rock
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Dacitic magma is formed by the subduction of young oceanic crust under a thick felsic continental plate. Further, the Oceanic crust is hydrothermally altered as quartz and sodium are added.
When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.
Mineral Content
Amphibole, Apatite, Biotite, Feldspar, Garnet, Hornblade, Magnetite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz, Zircon
-
Compound Content
Ca, Fe, Potassium Oxide, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Grain Size
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained
-
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Vitreous
Specific Gravity
2.86-2.87
2.6-2.7
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent
Density
2.77-2.771 g/cm3
2.6 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
-
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Europe
France, Greece, Romania, Scotland, Spain
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, Mexico, USA
South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand, South Australia, Western Australia
New Zealand
All about Dacite and Obsidian Properties
Know all about Dacite and Obsidian properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Dacite and Obsidian belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Dacite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic whereas that of Obsidian is Glassy. Dacite appears Vesicular and Obsidian appears Shiny. The luster of Dacite is subvitreous to dull while that of Obsidian is vitreous. Dacite is available in bluish - grey, brown, grey, light to dark grey colors whereas Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Dacite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork and that of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums.