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
Hyaloclastite is an aggregate of fine, glassy debris formed by the sudden contact of hot, coherent magma and cold water or water-saturated sediment
Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From hyalo + -ite
Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Glassy
Pyroclastic
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Brown, Grey, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Building houses or walls, Construction Aggregate
Medical Industry
Surgery
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Welded tuff, Rhyolitic tuff, Basaltic tuff, Trachyte tuff and Andesitic tuff.
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Always found as volcanic pipes over deep continental crust
Archaeological Significance
Monuments
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
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.
Hyaloclastite is a type of Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of lava or magma.
Mineral Content
Not Available
Calcite, Chlorite
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Hydrogen Sulfide, Sulfur Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal
Not Available
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Highly Porous
Luster
Vitreous
Dull and Grainy
Compressive Strength
Not Available
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Not Available
Toughness
Not Available
Not Available
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
Not Available
Transparency
Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.6 g/cm3
Not Available
Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Russia
Africa
Kenya
South Africa
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Iceland
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Not Yet Found
All about Obsidian and Hyaloclastite Properties
Know all about Obsidian and Hyaloclastite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian and Hyaloclastite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Hyaloclastite is Pyroclastic. Obsidian appears Shiny and Hyaloclastite appears Dull. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Hyaloclastite is dull and grainy. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Hyaloclastite is available in brown, grey, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Hyaloclastite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.