Definition
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
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
Germany
New Zealand
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From diatom + -ite1
From Greek mulōn mill + -ite
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Foliated
Color
Grey, White, Yellow
Black to Grey
Durability
Non-Durable
Durable
Appearance
Soft
Dull, Banded and Foilated
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments
Commercial Uses
Alumina Refineries, Animal feed filler, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Creating Artwork, Drawing on blackboards, Fire resistant, Gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, In aquifers, Soil Conditioner, To ignite fire, Used as a filter medium, Used as an insecticide, Whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
Types
Diatomite
Blastomylonites, Ultramylonites and Phyllonites
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
Surfaces are often shiny
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Diatomite rock formed from the skeletal remains of single celled plants called diatoms. When diatoms die, their skeletal remains sink to the bottom of lakes and oceans etc. hence forming diatomite deposit.
Mylonites are ductilely deformed rocks formed by the accumulation of large shear strain, in ductile fault zones.
Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
Porphyroblasts
Compound Content
Ca, NaCl, CaO
Aluminium Oxide, Calcium Sulfate, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4
2.97-3.05
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
2.6-4.8 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Europe
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
England, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
USA
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
Central Australia, Western Australia
Diatomite 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. Diatomite vs Mylonite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Diatomite and Properties of Mylonite. Learn more about Diatomite vs Mylonite in the next section. The interior uses of Diatomite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Mylonite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Diatomite and Mylonite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Diatomite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium and that of Mylonite include For road aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone.
More about Diatomite and Mylonite
Here you can know more about Diatomite and Mylonite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Diatomite and Mylonite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Diatomite includes Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand and mineral content of Mylonite includes Porphyroblasts. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Diatomite vs Mylonite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas, Mylonite is available in black to grey colors. Appearance of Diatomite is Soft and that of Mylonite is Dull, Banded and Foilated. Properties of rock is another aspect for Diatomite vs Mylonite. The hardness of Diatomite is 1 and that of Mylonite is 3-4. The types of Diatomite are Diatomite 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 Diatomite and Mylonite is white. The specific heat capacity of Diatomite is 0.90 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.Diatomite is heat resistant whereas Mylonite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant.