Felsite and Laterite
Definition
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
Laterite rock is a type of Sedimentary rock which is rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas
History
Origin
Unknown
India
Discoverer
Unknown
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton
Etymology
From English feldspar and -ite
From Latin later brick, tile + -ite1
Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Family
Group
Volcanic
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Texture
Arborescent Patterned, Vitreous
Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Brown, Buff, Red
Maintenance
Less
Less
Durability
Durable
Durable
Water Resistant
Yes
No
Scratch Resistant
Yes
No
Stain Resistant
No
No
Wind Resistant
Yes
No
Acid Resistant
No
No
Appearance
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
Rough and Banded
Uses
Architecture
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Industry
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Cobblestones, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Medical Industry
Surgery
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Other Uses
Commercial Uses
Mirror, Jewelry
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Source of bauxite, Used in aquariums
Types
Types
Not Available
Not Available
Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Clasts are smooth to touch, Splintery, Very fine grained rock
Is one of the oldest rock, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
Monuments
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Used
Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
Fossils
Absent
Present
Formation
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.
Laterite is a type of sedimentary rock which is generally a reddish weathering product of basalt.
Composition
Mineral Content
Feldspar, Iron Oxides
Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Transformation
Metamorphism
Yes
No
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Weathering
Yes
Yes
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Erosion
Yes
Yes
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Properties
Physical Properties
Hardness
5-5.5
2
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Streak
White
White
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Highly Porous
Luster
Vitreous
Dull
Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm2
33
Not Available
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Not Applicable
Toughness
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.6 g/cm3
Not Available
Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
10
Not Available
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Reserves
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
India
Africa
Kenya
East Africa, Western Africa
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
England, Romania, Scotland
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Felsite and Laterite Properties
Know all about Felsite and Laterite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Felsite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Laterite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Felsite is Arborescent Patterned, Vitreous whereas that of Laterite is Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic. Felsite appears Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny and Laterite appears Rough and Banded. The luster of Felsite is vitreous while that of Laterite is dull. Felsite is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Laterite is available in brown, buff, red colors. The commercial uses of Felsite are mirror, jewelry and that of Laterite are an oil and gas reservoir, source of bauxite, used in aquariums.
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