1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Gossan is intensely oxidized, weathered or decomposed rock, usually the upper and exposed part of an ore deposit or mineral vein.
Argillites are highly compact sedimentary or slightly metamorphosed rocks that consist largely or wholly of particles of clay or silt but lack the fissility of shale or the cleavage characteristic of slate
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Cornish gossen from gos, blood from Old Cornish guit
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Rough, Sandy
Clastic, Polished
2.2 Color
Brown, Brown- Black, Gold, Green, Rust
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Dull and Banded
Rough and Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing, Whetstones
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Gemstone
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
4 Types
4.1 Types
Translocated gossan and Leakage gossan
Not Available
4.2 Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates
Is one of the oldest rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Earth movements can cause rocks to be either deeply buried or squeezed and hence the rocks are heated and put under great pressure.
An argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock mainly composed of clay particles which forms from lithified muds which contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Bronzite, Calcite, Chert, Epidote, Feldspar, Hornblende, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz, Sulfides, Zircon
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Fe, FeO, Silicon Dioxide, Sulphur
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
Biological Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine to Medium Grained
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal to Uneven
6.1.4 Streak
White to Grey
White to Grey
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
6.1.12 Density
Not Available2.54-2.66 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.24 kJ/Kg K0.87 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Singapore, South Korea
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
7.1.2 Africa
Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
7.1.3 Europe
Albania, France, Germany, Great Britain, United Kingdom
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia