Definition
Eclogite is an extreme metamorphic rock, formed by regional metamorphism of basalt rock under very high pressure and temperature
Picrite is a variety of high-magnesium olivine basalt that is very rich in the mineral olivine
Discoverer
René Just Haüy
Unknown
Etymology
From French, Greek eklogē selection with reference to the selective content of the rock + -ite1
From Greek pikros bitter + -ite, 19th century
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Earthy
Earthy, Rough
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull, Banded and Foilated
Rough and Shiny
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
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As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Roadstone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
Medical Industry
In Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry, Medicines and Cosmetics
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Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
As a Feed Additive for Livestock, As armour rock for sea walls, Metallurgical Flux, Pottery, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Eclogite forms from high-pressure metamorphism of mafic igneous rocks mainly, basalt or gabbro as it plunges into the mantle in a subduction zone.
Picrite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Mineral Content
Amphibole, Coesite, Corundum, Dolomite, Garnet, Kyanite, Lawsonite, Paragonite, Phengite, Pyroxene, Quartz, Rutile, Zoisite
Biotite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyrrhotite
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Potassium, Sodium
Al, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Mg, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
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Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Subvitreous to Dull
Specific Gravity
2.86-2.87
2.75-2.92
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
3.2-3.6 g/cm3
1.5-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey
India, Russia
Africa
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa
South Africa
Europe
France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Scotland
Iceland
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador
Brazil
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland
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Eclogite vs Picrite 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. Eclogite vs Picrite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Eclogite and Properties of Picrite. Learn more about Eclogite vs Picrite in the next section. The interior uses of Eclogite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Picrite include Countertops, Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Eclogite and Picrite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Eclogite in construction industry include and that of Picrite include As a sintering agent in steel industry to process iron ore, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate, Manufacture of magnesium and dolomite refractories, Roadstone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills..
More about Eclogite and Picrite
Here you can know more about Eclogite and Picrite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Eclogite and Picrite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Eclogite includes Amphibole, Coesite, Corundum, Dolomite, Garnet, Kyanite, Lawsonite, Paragonite, Phengite, Pyroxene, Quartz, Rutile, Zoisite and mineral content of Picrite includes Biotite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyrrhotite. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Eclogite vs Picrite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Eclogite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas, Picrite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white, yellow colors. Appearance of Eclogite is Dull, Banded and Foilated and that of Picrite is Rough and Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Eclogite vs Picrite. The hardness of Eclogite is 3.5-4 and that of Picrite is 6.8. The types of Eclogite are Eclogite whereas types of Picrite are Oceanite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Eclogite is white while that of Picrite is white, greenish white or grey. The specific heat capacity of Eclogite is 0.75 kJ/Kg K and that of Picrite is 0.88 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Eclogite is heat resistant whereas Picrite is heat resistant.