Definition
Oolite is a sedimentary rock formed from ooids, spherical grains which are composed of concentric layers of calcite
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
Origin
-
European Foreland Basins
Discoverer
William Smith
Arnold H. Bouma
Etymology
From oo- + -lite, after German Oolit. A rock consisting of fine grains of carbonate of lime
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Mud-rich, Sandy
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Cream, Green, Grey, Pink, Red, Silver, White, Yellow
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Rounded and Rough
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
-
Curbing
Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Cobblestones, Landscaping
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Jewelry, Used in aquariums
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Pisolitic Oolite and Oncolitic Oolite
Sedimentary rock
Features
Available in lots of colors, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Oolites form when layers of calcite are deposited around a sand grain or fossil piece and are rolled around in calm water, which makes them round.
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.
Mineral Content
Calcite, Chert, Clay, Dolomite, Quartz, Sand, Silt
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, Ca, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, MgO
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal
Splintery
Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Luster
Pearly to Shiny
Metallic
Specific Gravity
-9999
2.46-2.73
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
-9999 g/cm3
1.6-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
-
Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Western Africa
Europe
United Kingdom
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
New Zealand, Western Australia
All about Oolite and Turbidite Properties
Know all about Oolite and Turbidite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Oolite and Turbidite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Oolite is Clastic or Non-Clastic whereas that of Turbidite is Mud-rich, Sandy. Oolite appears Rounded and Rough and Turbidite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Oolite is pearly to shiny while that of Turbidite is metallic. Oolite and Turbidite are available in black, blue, brown, cream, green, grey, pink, red, silver, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Oolite are creating artwork, jewelry, used in aquariums and that of Turbidite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.