Definition
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
Hawaiite is volcanic rock that resembles basalt. It is an olivine basalt with intermediate composition between alkali olivine and mugearite
Origin
Ethiopia
Hawaii Islands
Discoverer
Obsius
Joseph Iddings
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From Hawaii Islands
Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Opaque Rock
Texture
Glassy
Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Shiny
Dull and Soft
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Other Architectural Uses
-
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
Medical Industry
Surgery
-
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Creating Artwork, Sea Defence
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Volcanic rock
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
-
Easter Island in the Polynesian Triangle, Pacific Ocean
Formation
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.
Hawaiite is a fine-grained, hard rock that forms when bits of lava shoot out of volcanoes and reach the Earth's surface.
Mineral Content
-
Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium 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
Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
-
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
-9999
Transparency
Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.6 g/cm3
-9999 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
India, Russia
Africa
Kenya
South Africa
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Iceland
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Brazil
Deposits in Oceania Continent
All about Obsidian and Hawaiite Properties
Know all about Obsidian and Hawaiite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian and Hawaiite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Hawaiite is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular. Obsidian appears Shiny and Hawaiite appears Dull and Soft. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Hawaiite is . Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Hawaiite is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Hawaiite are creating artwork, sea defence.