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Dolomite Rock



Definition

Definition
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight

History

Origin
Southern Alps, France

Discoverer
Dolomieu

Etymology
From French, from the name of Dolomieu (1750–1801), the French geologist who discovered the rock

Class
Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Earthy

Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
No

Scratch Resistant
Yes

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Glassy or Pearly

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses
-

Industry

Construction Industry
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Serves as an Oil and Gas Reservoir rock

Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)

Types

Types
Boninite and Jasperoid

Features
Host Rock for Lead, Traps for subsurface fluids like Oil and Natural Gas., Zinc and Copper Deposits

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Present

Formation

Formation
Dolomite rocks are originally deposited as calcite or aragonite rich limestone, but during diagenesis process, the calcite or aragonite is transformed into dolomite.

Composition

Mineral Content
Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides

Compound Content
NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO

Transformation

Metamorphism
Yes

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Weathering
No

Types of Weathering
-

Erosion
No

Types of Erosion
-

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
3.5-4

Grain Size
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

Fracture
Conchoidal

Streak
White

Porosity
Less Porous

Luster
Vitreous and Pearly

Compressive Strength
140.00 N/mm2 23

Cleavage
Perfect

Toughness
1

Specific Gravity
2.8-3

Transparency
Transparent to Translucent

Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K 10

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
China, India

Africa
Morocco, Namibia

Europe
Austria, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Mexico, USA

South America
Brazil, Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, Yorke Peninsula

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Sedimentary Rocks

Information about Dolomite

Rocks are naturally occurring solids which are composed of minerals & have been used by humans since ages. From Stone Age, rocks are used for various purposes. Also, the metals and minerals found in rock play an important role in our life. Get to know all the Dolomite Uses. We have provided you with all information about Dolomite rock here. Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight. Dolomite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Dolomite is white. Get to know more about Dolomite rock and characteristics of Dolomite rock in the next sections.

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