Definition
Nephelinite is a fine-grained or aphanitic igneous rock made up almost entirely of nepheline and clinopyroxene (variety augite).
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
Origin
Brazil
European Foreland Basins
Discoverer
Unknown
Arnold H. Bouma
Etymology
from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Group
Plutonic
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Aphanitic
Mud-rich, Sandy
Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Skeletal
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Peralkaline Nephelinite
Not Available
Features
Host Rock for Lead
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Not Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Not Used
Used
Formation
Nephelinite 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.
Turbidite is a type of sedimentary rock formed when a river carries or transports pieces of broken rock as it flows. These particles then settle down and are subjected to high temperature and pressures hence forming Turbidite.
Mineral Content
Clinopyroxene, Nepheline, Plagioclase
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Ca, CaO, Carbon, Cl, MgO
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Luster
Vitreous to Metallic
Metallic
Cleavage
Imperfect
Disjunctive
Specific Gravity
2.4-2.9
2.46-2.73
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.5-3 g/cm3
1.6-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Africa
Rwanda, Tanzania
Western Africa
Europe
Not Yet Found
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Others
Hawaii Islands
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Not Yet Found
New Zealand, Western Australia
All about Nephelinite and Turbidite Properties
Know all about Nephelinite and Turbidite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Nephelinite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Turbidite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Nephelinite is Aphanitic whereas that of Turbidite is Mud-rich, Sandy. Nephelinite appears Skeletal and Turbidite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Nephelinite is vitreous to metallic while that of Turbidite is metallic. Nephelinite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors whereas Turbidite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink colors. The commercial uses of Nephelinite are creating artwork, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Turbidite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.