Obsidian and Latite
Definition
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
Latite is an igneous, volcanic rock, with aphanitic-aphyric to aphyric-porphyritic texture
History
Origin
Ethiopia
Italy
Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From the Latin word latium
Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Family
Group
Volcanic
Volcanic
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Texture
Glassy
Aphanitic to Porphyritic
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Maintenance
Less
Less
Durability
Durable
Durable
Water Resistant
Yes
No
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Stain Resistant
No
Yes
Wind Resistant
No
No
Acid Resistant
No
No
Appearance
Shiny
Rough
Uses
Architecture
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
Curbing
Industry
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
Medical Industry
Surgery
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Other Uses
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Metallurgical Flux, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Types
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Rhomb porphyries
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Host Rock for Lead
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
Pictographs
Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Used
Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
Fossils
Absent
Absent
Formation
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.
Latite 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.
Composition
Mineral Content
Not Available
Alkali feldspar, Biotite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
CaO, Cl, MgO
Transformation
Metamorphism
Yes
Yes
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism
Weathering
Yes
Yes
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Erosion
Yes
Yes
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Properties
Physical Properties
Hardness
5-5.5
5-5.5
Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Streak
White
White
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Luster
Vitreous
Subvitreous to Dull
Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm2
33
310.00 N/mm2
2
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Perfect
Toughness
Not Available
2.7
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
2.86
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent
Density
2.6 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
10
0.92 kJ/Kg K
10
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Reserves
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Not Yet Found
Africa
Kenya
Not Yet Found
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Bulgaria
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Not Yet Found
All about Obsidian and Latite Properties
Know all about Obsidian and Latite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian and Latite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Latite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic. Obsidian appears Shiny and Latite appears Rough. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Latite is subvitreous to dull. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Latite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Latite are an oil and gas reservoir, as a feed additive for livestock, metallurgical flux, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo).
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