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Obsidian
Obsidian

Porphyry
Porphyry



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Obsidian vs Porphyry

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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
Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Ethiopia
Egypt
1.2.2 Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From Old French porfire, from Italian porfiro and in some cases directly from Latin porphyrites
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Volcanic
Plutonic
1.6 Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Glassy
Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Red, Rust, 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
Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, 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
Construction Aggregate
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Surgery
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
4 Types
4.1 Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Rhomb Porphyry
4.2 Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny
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
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.
Porphyry is formed in two stages: the magma cools slowly deep within the crust or the magma is cools rapidly as it erupts from a volcano, creating small grains that are usually invisible to naked eye.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Not Available
Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
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, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Not Registered
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
5-5.56-7
Coal
1 7
6.1.2 Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine 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
Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm2NA
Slate
0.15 450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Non-Existent
Imperfect
6.1.9 Toughness
Not Available
1.7
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.6-2.72.5-4
Granite
0 8.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent
Translucent to Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.6 g/cm32.5-2.52 g/cm3
Granite
0 1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg KNA
Granulite
0.14 3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
7.1.2 Africa
Kenya
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Greenland
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, USA
7.2.2 South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New Zealand
New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia

Obsidian vs Porphyry 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 Porphyry 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. Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-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 Porphyry information and Obsidian vs Porphyry characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Obsidian vs Porphyry 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 Porphyry characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Obsidian and Properties of Porphyry. Learn more about Obsidian vs Porphyry in the next section. The interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Porphyry include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Obsidian and Porphyry, 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 Porphyry include Construction aggregate.

More about Obsidian and Porphyry

Here you can know more about Obsidian and Porphyry. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Obsidian and Porphyry consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Obsidian is not available and mineral content of Porphyry includes Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Obsidian vs Porphyry, 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, Porphyry is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, red, rust, white colors. Appearance of Obsidian is Shiny and that of Porphyry is Dull. Properties of rock is another aspect for Obsidian vs Porphyry. The hardness of Obsidian is 5-5.5 and that of Porphyry is 6-7. The types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian whereas types of Porphyry are Rhomb Porphyry. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Obsidian and Porphyry is white. The specific heat capacity of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Porphyry 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 Porphyry is heat resistant, impact resistant.