Definition
Felsite is a very fine grained volcanic rock that may or may not contain larger crystals and light colored rock that typically requires petrographic examination or chemical analysis for more precise definition
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
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Swiss Alps, Europe
Discoverer
Unknown
Michael Tellinger
Etymology
From English feldspar and -ite
From the Italian word cataclasi
Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Arborescent Patterned, Vitreous
Clastic
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Medical Industry
Surgery
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Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Mirror, Jewelry
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Igneous rock
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Clasts are smooth to touch, Splintery, Very fine grained rock
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Felsite 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.
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
Feldspar, Iron Oxides
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
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Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
2.1
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.6 g/cm3
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Kenya
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Argentina, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Felsite and Cataclasite Properties
Know all about Felsite and Cataclasite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Felsite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Cataclasite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Felsite is Arborescent Patterned, Vitreous whereas that of Cataclasite is Clastic. Felsite appears Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny and Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Felsite and Cataclasite is vitreous. Felsite is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Felsite are mirror, jewelry and that of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.