Definition
Mylonite is a metamorphic rock formed by ductile deformation during intense shearing encountered during folding and faulting, a process termed cataclastic or dynamic metamorphism
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth
Origin
New Zealand
Ethiopia
Discoverer
Unknown
Obsius
Etymology
From Greek mulōn mill + -ite
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Opaque Rock
Color
Black to Grey
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull, Banded and Foilated
Shiny
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
-
Construction Industry
for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Medical Industry
-
Surgery
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Jewellery
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Types
Blastomylonites, Ultramylonites and Phyllonites
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Features
Surfaces are often shiny
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Mylonites are ductilely deformed rocks formed by the accumulation of large shear strain, in ductile fault zones.
When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.
Mineral Content
Porphyroblasts
-
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, Calcium Sulfate, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, Silicon Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
-
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
-
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Porosity
Highly Porous
Very Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.97-3.05
2.6-2.7
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent
Density
2.6-4.8 g/cm3
2.6 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Africa
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Kenya
Europe
England, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, United Kingdom
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, Mexico, USA
South America
-
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
New Zealand
Mylonite vs Obsidian Characteristics
Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Mylonite vs Obsidian characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Mylonite and Properties of Obsidian. Learn more about Mylonite vs Obsidian in the next section. The interior uses of Mylonite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Mylonite and Obsidian, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Mylonite in construction industry include For road aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone and that of Obsidian include Arrowheads, Cutting tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear points.
More about Mylonite and Obsidian
Here you can know more about Mylonite and Obsidian. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Mylonite and Obsidian consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Mylonite includes Porphyroblasts and mineral content of Obsidian includes . You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Mylonite vs Obsidian, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Mylonite is available in black to grey colors whereas, Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors. Appearance of Mylonite is Dull, Banded and Foilated and that of Obsidian is Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Mylonite vs Obsidian. The hardness of Mylonite is 3-4 and that of Obsidian is 5-5.5. The types of Mylonite are Blastomylonites, Ultramylonites and Phyllonites whereas types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Mylonite and Obsidian is white. The specific heat capacity of Mylonite is 1.50 kJ/Kg K and that of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Mylonite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant whereas Obsidian is heat resistant, impact resistant.