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Obsidian
Obsidian

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Diatomite



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Obsidian vs Diatomite

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
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Ethiopia
Germany
1.2.2 Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From diatom + -ite1
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft 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 or Non-Clastic
2.2 Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Grey, White, Yellow
2.3 Maintenance
Less
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
Non-Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
81% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
59% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
86% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
62% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
66% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
43% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
49% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
38% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
48% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
22% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
2.5 Appearance
Shiny
Soft
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
Garden Decoration, 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, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
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
Alumina Refineries, Animal feed filler, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Creating Artwork, Drawing on blackboards, Fire resistant, Gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, In aquifers, Soil Conditioner, To ignite fire, Used as a filter medium, Used as an insecticide, Whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper
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
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained 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
Not Yet Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
Used
Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Used
Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
Present
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.
Diatomite rock formed from the skeletal remains of single celled plants called diatoms. When diatoms die, their skeletal remains sink to the bottom of lakes and oceans etc. hence forming diatomite deposit.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Not Available
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
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, NaCl, CaO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
97% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
19% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
99% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
78% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
92% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
86% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
5-5.5
1
6.1.2 Grain Size
Not Applicable
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
Not Available
6.1.4 Streak
White
White
6.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Vitreous
Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
Flint
0.15 N/mm2
Rank: 33 (Overall)
Not Available
Rank: N/A (Overall)
Obsidian
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6.1.8 Cleavage
Non-Existent
Non-Existent
6.1.9 Toughness
Not Available
1
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
2.3-2.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.6 g/cm3
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
Banded iron for..
0.92 kJ/Kg K
Rank: 10 (Overall)
0.90 kJ/Kg K
Rank: 12 (Overall)
Granulite
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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
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
7.1.2 Africa
Kenya
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
7.1.3 Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
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, USA
7.2.2 South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Colombia
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New Zealand
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Tonga, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

Obsidian vs Diatomite 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 Diatomite 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. Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth. 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 Diatomite information and Obsidian vs Diatomite characteristics in the upcoming sections.

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

More about Obsidian and Diatomite

Here you can know more about Obsidian and Diatomite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Obsidian and Diatomite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Obsidian is not available and mineral content of Diatomite includes Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Obsidian vs Diatomite, 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, Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors. Appearance of Obsidian is Shiny and that of Diatomite is Soft. Properties of rock is another aspect for Obsidian vs Diatomite. The hardness of Obsidian is 5-5.5 and that of Diatomite is 1. The types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian whereas types of Diatomite are Not Available. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Obsidian and Diatomite is white. The specific heat capacity of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Diatomite is 0.90 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 Diatomite is heat resistant.