Obsidian

Cataclasite

Obsidian vs Cataclasite

Obsidian

Cataclasite

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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

Cataclasite is a type of cataclastic rock that is formed by fracturing and comminution during faulting. It is normally cohesive and non-foliated, consisting of angular clasts in a finer-grained matrix

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Ethiopia

Swiss Alps, Europe

1.2.2 Discoverer

Obsius

Michael Tellinger

1.3 Etymology

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

From the Italian word cataclasi

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

Clastic

2.2 Color

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

Brown, Green, White, Yellow

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

Dull and Banded

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Homes

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving 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

As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, 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

Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite

4.2 Features

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest 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.

Cataclasiste rocks mainly form by pressure deep under the Earth's surface, 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, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, 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

Silicon Dioxide

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

Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

5-5.53-4

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Not Applicable

Fine Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

White

Black

6.1.5 Porosity

Very Less Porous

Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

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

2.6-2.72.1

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent

Translucent to Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.6 g/cm³2.9-3.1 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg KNA

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

China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea

7.1.2 Africa

Kenya

Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa

7.1.3 Europe

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Canada, Mexico, USA

Canada, USA

7.2.2 South America

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

Argentina, Colombia

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New Zealand

Central Australia, Western Australia

Obsidian vs Cataclasite 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 Cataclasite 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. Cataclasite is a type of cataclastic rock that is formed by fracturing and comminution during faulting. It is normally cohesive and non-foliated, consisting of angular clasts in a finer-grained matrix. 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 Cataclasite information and Obsidian vs Cataclasite characteristics in the upcoming sections.

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Obsidian vs Cataclasite 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 Cataclasite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Obsidian and Properties of Cataclasite. Learn more about Obsidian vs Cataclasite in the next section. The interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes. Due to some exceptional properties of Obsidian and Cataclasite, 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 Cataclasite include As dimension stone, Building houses or walls, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate.

More about Obsidian and Cataclasite

Here you can know more about Obsidian and Cataclasite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Obsidian and Cataclasite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Obsidian is not available and mineral content of Cataclasite includes Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Obsidian vs Cataclasite, 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, Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. Appearance of Obsidian is Shiny and that of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded. Properties of rock is another aspect for Obsidian vs Cataclasite. The hardness of Obsidian is 5-5.5 and that of Cataclasite is 3-4. The types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian whereas types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Obsidian is white while that of Cataclasite is black. The specific heat capacity of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Cataclasite is Not Available. 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 Cataclasite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant.