Obsidian

Serpentinite

Obsidian and Serpentinite

Obsidian

Serpentinite

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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

A hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle is called as serpentinization, a group of minerals is formed by serpentinization compose rock 'serpentinite'.

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Ethiopia

USA

1.2.2 Discoverer

Obsius

Unknown

1.3 Etymology

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

From English word serpentinization.

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

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Glassy

Earthy

2.2 Color

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

Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White

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

Rough and Dull

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

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

As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Surgery

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Jewellery

Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture

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

Jadeitite

4.2 Features

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

Host Rock for Lead

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Not Yet Used

Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Not Applicable

Data Not Available

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

Data Not Available

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

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. Serpentinite 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

Carbonate, Magnetite, Pyrrhotite, Serpentine, Sulfides

5.2.2 Compound Content

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

Ca, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, KCl, MgO, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Not Applicable

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

5-5.53-5

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Not Applicable

Very fine-grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

Uneven

6.1.4 Streak

White

White, Greenish White or Grey

6.1.5 Porosity

Very Less Porous

Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

Waxy and Dull

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

0.15 N/mm²310.00 N/mm²

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Non-Existent

Irregular

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.6-2.72.79-3

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent

Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.6 g/cm³2.5-3 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.95 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Heat Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea

7.1.2 Africa

Kenya

Ethiopia, Western Africa

7.1.3 Europe

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

England, Georgia, Switzerland, United Kingdom

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Canada, Mexico, USA

Canada

7.2.2 South America

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

Colombia

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New Zealand

Central Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia

All about Obsidian and Serpentinite Properties

Know all about Obsidian and Serpentinite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian belongs to Igneous Rocks while Serpentinite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Serpentinite is Earthy. Obsidian appears Shiny and Serpentinite appears Rough and Dull. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Serpentinite is waxy and dull. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Serpentinite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Serpentinite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.