Obsidian

Metapelite

Obsidian and Metapelite

Obsidian

Metapelite

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1 Definition

1.1 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

Metapelite is an old and currently not widely used field geological term for a clay rich fine-grained clastic sediment or sedimentary rock, i.e. mud or a mudstone

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Ethiopia

Unknown

1.2.2 Discoverer

Obsius

Unknown

1.3 Etymology

From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius

From Pelos or clay in Greek

1.4 Class

Igneous Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Volcanic

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Opaque Rock

Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Glassy

Foliated

2.2 Color

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow

Dark Greenish - Grey, Green, Light Green, Light Greenish Grey

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

2.4.1 Water Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.2 Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.3 Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.4 Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.5 Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

2.5 Appearance

Shiny

Banded

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Not Yet Used

Curbing

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points

Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Surgery

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Jewellery

Artifacts

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums

Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork

4 Types

4.1 Types

Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian

Not Available

4.2 Features

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

Easily splits into thin plates, It is One of the Oldest, Strongest and Hardest Rock

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 Fossils

Absent

5 Formation

5.1 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.

Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Metapelite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Not Available

Albite, Chlorite, Quartz

5.2.2 Compound Content

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, MgO

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Not Applicable

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

5-5.55-6

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Not Applicable

Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

Fibrous

6.1.4 Streak

White

Unknown

6.1.5 Porosity

Very Less Porous

Highly Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

Earthy

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

0.15 N/mm²NA

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Non-Existent

Not Available

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.6-2.73.4-3.7

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent

Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.6 g/cm³0-300 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.72 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

Not Yet Found

7.1.2 Africa

Kenya

Western Africa

7.1.3 Europe

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

United Kingdom

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Canada, Mexico, USA

Not Available

7.2.2 South America

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New Zealand

Central Australia, Western Australia

All about Obsidian and Metapelite Properties

Know all about Obsidian and Metapelite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian belongs to Igneous Rocks while Metapelite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Metapelite is Foliated. Obsidian appears Shiny and Metapelite appears Banded. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Metapelite is earthy. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Metapelite is available in dark greenish - grey, green, light green, light greenish grey colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Metapelite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.