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Obsidian and Rhyolite Definition


Rhyolite and Obsidian Definition


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   
Rhyolite is a fine-grained igneous rock which is rich in silica   

History
  
  

Origin
Ethiopia   
North America   

Discoverer
Obsius   
Ferdinand von Richthofen   

Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius   
From German Rhyolit, from Greek rhuax lava stream + lithos stone   

Class
Igneous Rocks   
Igneous Rocks   

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock   
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   

Family
  
  

Group
Volcanic   
Volcanic   

Other Categories
Opaque Rock   
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   

Texture >>
<< Summary

Definition of Obsidian and Rhyolite

The general Obsidian and Rhyolite definition can be stated as: 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. On the other hand, Rhyolite is a fine-grained igneous rock which is rich in silica. Along with definition of Obsidian and Rhyolite, get to know about Properties of Obsidian and Rhyolite. Get to know more information about Obsidian and Rhyolite origin and discoverer, etymology and class.

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History of Obsidian and Rhyolite

The history of Obsidian and Rhyolite gives information about where the rock was found and who was its discoverer. Almost each and every aspect of Earth's history is recorded in rocks be it the volcanoes which were erupted or the plants, animals and organisms which are now extinct, as rocks are present from millions of years.

Obsidian and Rhyolite Origin and Discoverer

Obsidian and Rhyolite definition gives us a brief idea about the two rocks. In some cases, the definition also gives summary about the Formation of Obsidian and Rhyolite. In this section, you will know about Obsidian and Rhyolite Origin and Discoverer. Origin of Obsidian is Ethiopia whereas Origin of Rhyolite is North America. It is interesting to know the name of Obsidian and Rhyolite discoverer. The Discoverer of Obsidian is Obsius and the discoverer of Rhyolite is Ferdinand von Richthofen.

Etymology of Obsidian and Rhyolite

Along with Obsidian and Rhyolite definition, know more about the etymology of Obsidian and Rhyolite. Etymology of Obsidian and Rhyolite gives information about origin and formation of a particular rock. Know more about Formation of Obsidian and Formation of Rhyolite. The etymology of Obsidian is From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius while that of Rhyolite is From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius. The process of formation of rocks defines the class of rock. All the rocks in a class are formed by similar processes. Obsidian and Rhyolite belong to Igneous Rocks. The sub-class, group and other categories of Obsidian and Rhyolite are listed below.

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