Norite and Chert

Norite

Chert

Definition

Norite is a mafic intrusive igneous rock composed largely of the calcium-rich plagioclase labradorite, orthopyroxene, and olivine

Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture

History

Origin

Norway

Unknown

Discoverer

Unknown

Etymology

From the Norwegian name for Norway, Norge

From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use

Class

Igneous Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group

Plutonic

Not Applicable

Other Categories

Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Phaneritic

Banded, Rough

Color

Dark Grey to Black

Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Water Resistant

Yes

Scratch Resistant

Yes

Stain Resistant

Yes

Wind Resistant

Yes

Acid Resistant

Yes

Appearance

Veined and Shiny

Glassy or Pearly

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Homes

Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry

As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate

Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points

Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Artifacts, Monuments

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry, Sea Defence, Tombstones

Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms

Types

Not Available

Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter

Features

Smooth to touch

Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Used

Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Sculpture

Used

Not Yet Used

Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

Not Applicable

Pictographs

Not Used

Petroglyphs

Not Used

Figurines

Used

Not Yet Used

Fossils

Absent

Present

Formation

Norite 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.

Chert forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The chert formation can be either of chemical or biological origin.

Composition

Mineral Content

Augite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

Quartz, Silicon

Compound Content

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Trioxide

Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism

Yes

Types of Metamorphism

Cataclastic Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism

Not Applicable

Weathering

Yes

Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering

Not Applicable

Erosion

Yes

Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion

Chemical Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

6.5-7

Grain Size

Coarse Grained

Very fine-grained

Fracture

Conchoidal

Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal

Streak

Black

White

Porosity

Highly Porous

Luster

Not Available

Waxy and Dull

Compressive Strength

225.00 N/mm²

450.00 N/mm²

Cleavage

Not Available

Non-Existent

Toughness

1.6

1.5

Specific Gravity

2.86-2.87

2.5-2.8

Transparency

Opaque

Translucent to Opaque

Density

2.7-3.3 g/cm³

2.7 g/cm³

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

Not Available

0.74 kJ/Kg K

Resistance

Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

India, Russia

China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

Africa

South Africa

Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania

Europe

Germany, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Turkey

Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Others

Greenland

Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada, USA

Canada, Mexico, USA

South America

Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

Bolivia, Brazil

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

New Zealand, Queensland

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Summary >>

<< Reserves

All about Norite and Chert Properties

Know all about Norite and Chert properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Norite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Chert belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Norite is Phaneritic whereas that of Chert is Banded, Rough. Norite appears Veined and Shiny and Chert appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Norite is not available while that of Chert is waxy and dull. Norite is available in dark grey to black colors whereas Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Norite are cemetery markers, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, jewelry, sea defence, tombstones and that of Chert are creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms.