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Laterite Rock



Definition

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
India

Discoverer
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton

Etymology
From Latin later brick, tile + -ite1

Class
Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic

Color
Brown, Buff, Red

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
No

Scratch Resistant
No

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Rough and Banded

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry
Cobblestones, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Source of bauxite, Used in aquariums

Types

Types
Laterite

Features
Is one of the oldest rock, Very fine grained rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Present

Formation

Formation
Laterite is a type of sedimentary rock which is generally a reddish weathering product of basalt.

Composition

Mineral Content
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

Transformation

Metamorphism
No

Types of Metamorphism
-

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
2

Grain Size
Fine Grained

Fracture
Conchoidal

Streak
White

Porosity
Highly Porous

Luster
Dull

Compressive Strength
5.00 N/mm2 47

Cleavage
-

Toughness
-

Specific Gravity
-9999

Transparency
Opaque

Density
-9999 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K 10

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
India

Africa
East Africa, Western Africa

Europe
England, Romania, Scotland

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Canada, USA

South America
-

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia

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Sedimentary Rocks

Information about Laterite

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 Laterite Uses. We have provided you with all information about Laterite rock here. Laterite rock is a type of Sedimentary rock which is rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas. Laterite is available in brown, buff, red colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Laterite is white. Get to know more about Laterite rock and characteristics of Laterite rock in the next sections.

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