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
Talc carbonate is nothing but a rock sequence or a mineral composition found in metamorphic ultramafic rocks.
Origin
Ethiopia
China, USA, Middle east
Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From medieval Latin, talcum
Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Group
Volcanic
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Colourless, Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
Powder
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Source of calcium
Medical Industry
Surgery
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Manufacturing of baby powder
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Not Available
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Easily splits into thin plates, Generally rough to touch, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Monuments
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
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. Talc Carbonate is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Not Available
Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Not Applicable
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Not Applicable
Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine Grained
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Less Porous
Cleavage
Non-Existent
Perfect
Toughness
Not Available
1
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
2.86
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent
Density
2.6 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Not Yet Found
Africa
Kenya
Ethiopia, Ghana, Western Africa
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
England
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
Obsidian vs Talc carbonate 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 Talc carbonate characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Obsidian and Properties of Talc carbonate. Learn more about Obsidian vs Talc carbonate in the next section. The interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Talc carbonate include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Obsidian and Talc carbonate, 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 Talc carbonate include Source of calcium.
More about Obsidian and Talc carbonate
Here you can know more about Obsidian and Talc carbonate. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Obsidian and Talc carbonate consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Obsidian is not available and mineral content of Talc carbonate includes Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Obsidian vs Talc carbonate, 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, Talc carbonate is available in colourless, grey, white colors. Appearance of Obsidian is Shiny and that of Talc carbonate is Soft. Properties of rock is another aspect for Obsidian vs Talc carbonate. The hardness of Obsidian is 5-5.5 and that of Talc carbonate is 1-2. The types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian whereas types of Talc carbonate 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 Talc carbonate is white. The specific heat capacity of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Talc carbonate is 0.92 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 Talc carbonate is heat resistant, wear resistant.