Definition
Lherzolite is a type of ultramafic igneous rock which contains essential olivine and clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene in equal proportions
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
France
Swiss Alps, Europe
Discoverer
Unknown
Michael Tellinger
Etymology
From the Lherz Massif, an alpine peridotite complex, at Étang de Lers, near Massat in the French Pyrenees; Lherz is the archaic spelling of this location
From the Italian word cataclasi
Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Black, Dark Greenish - Grey, Green, Pink, Purple
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Glassy, Vesicular and Foilated
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Landscaping, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
As armour rock for sea walls, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Used in aquariums
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Garnet Lherzolite
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Lherzolite 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
Harzburgite, Olivine, Pyroxene, Pyrrhotite
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
CaO, Cr, Chromium(III) Oxide, MgO
Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Vitreous
Specific Gravity
2.86
2.1
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Russia, South Korea
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Western Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Europe
United Kingdom
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, USA
South America
-
Argentina, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Lherzolite and Cataclasite Properties
Know all about Lherzolite and Cataclasite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Lherzolite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Cataclasite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Lherzolite is Grenue whereas that of Cataclasite is Clastic. Lherzolite appears Glassy, Vesicular and Foilated and Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Lherzolite is subvitreous to dull while that of Cataclasite is vitreous. Lherzolite is available in black, dark greenish - grey, green, pink, purple colors whereas Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Lherzolite are as armour rock for sea walls, source of magnesia (mgo), used in aquariums and that of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.