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
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Ethiopia
European Foreland Basins
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
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
1.6 Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
2.2 Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
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
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
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, Making natural cement
3.2.2 Medical Industry
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
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
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
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.
Turbidite is a type of sedimentary rock formed when a river carries or transports pieces of broken rock as it flows. These particles then settle down and are subjected to high temperature and pressures hence forming Turbidite.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Not Available
Coesite, 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
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
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
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine to Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
6.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
Very Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm2200.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
6.1.12 Density
2.6 g/cm31.6-2.5 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
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
Not Yet Found
7.1.2 Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, 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
Brazil, Colombia
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New Zealand
New Zealand, Western Australia