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Obsidian
Obsidian

Anorthosite
Anorthosite



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Obsidian
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Obsidian vs Anorthosite

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
Anorthosite is a granular igneous rock composed largely of labradorite or plagioclase
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 French anorthose plagioclase + -ite1
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Volcanic
Plutonic
1.6 Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Glassy
Foliated, Glassy
2.2 Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Black, Bluish - Grey, Brown, Green, Grey, Light Greenish Grey, Pink, White
2.3 Maintenance
Less
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
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
Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
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
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Surgery
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Sculpture, Small Figurines
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Creating Artwork, Curling
4 Types
4.1 Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Proterozoic Anorthosite and Archean Anorthosite
4.2 Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.3 Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
Used
Not Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
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.
Anorthosite is a phaneritic, intrusive igneous rock which is characterized by a predominance of plagioclase feldspar which is almost 90–100%, and a minimal mafic component.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Not Available
Amphibole, Clinopyroxene, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Olivine, Orthopyroxene
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, Chromium(III) Oxide, MgO, Sulfur Trioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
5-5.55-6
Coal
1 7
6.1.2 Grain Size
Not Applicable
Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
Irregular
6.1.4 Streak
White
White
6.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Vitreous
Pearly to Subvitreous
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm2NA
Slate
0.15 450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Non-Existent
Irregular
6.1.9 Toughness
Not Available
Not Available
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.6-2.72.62-2.82
Granite
0 8.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent
Translucent
6.1.12 Density
2.6 g/cm32.7-4 g/cm3
Granite
0 1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.84 kJ/Kg K
Granulite
0.14 3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Wear 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
Not Yet Found
7.1.3 Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Czech Republic
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
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
Bolivia, Colombia
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New Zealand
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia

Obsidian vs Anorthosite Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Obsidian and Anorthosite Reserves. 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. Anorthosite is a granular igneous rock composed largely of labradorite or plagioclase. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Obsidian vs Anorthosite information and Obsidian vs Anorthosite characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Obsidian vs Anorthosite Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Obsidian vs Anorthosite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Obsidian and Properties of Anorthosite. Learn more about Obsidian vs Anorthosite in the next section. The interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Anorthosite include Decorative aggregates, Floor tiles, Homes and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Obsidian and Anorthosite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Obsidian in construction industry include Arrowheads, Cutting tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear points and that of Anorthosite include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate.

More about Obsidian and Anorthosite

Here you can know more about Obsidian and Anorthosite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Obsidian and Anorthosite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Obsidian is not available and mineral content of Anorthosite includes Amphibole, Clinopyroxene, Ilmenite, Magnetite, Olivine, Orthopyroxene. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Obsidian vs Anorthosite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas, Anorthosite is available in black, bluish - grey, brown, green, grey, light greenish grey, pink, white colors. Appearance of Obsidian is Shiny and that of Anorthosite is Layered, Banded, Veined and Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Obsidian vs Anorthosite. The hardness of Obsidian is 5-5.5 and that of Anorthosite is 5-6. The types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian whereas types of Anorthosite are Proterozoic Anorthosite and Archean Anorthosite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Obsidian and Anorthosite is white. The specific heat capacity of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Anorthosite is 0.84 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Obsidian is heat resistant, impact resistant whereas Anorthosite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, scratch resistant, wear resistant.