1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Picrite is a variety of high-magnesium olivine basalt that is very rich in the mineral olivine
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Greek pikros bitter + -ite, 19th century
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White, Yellow
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
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
Rough and Shiny
Dull and Soft
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Roadstone, Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
As a Feed Additive for Livestock, As armour rock for sea walls, Metallurgical Flux, Pottery, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
4 Types
4.1 Types
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Picrite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Pseudotachylite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Biotite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyrrhotite
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
5.2.2 Compound Content
Al, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Mg, MgO
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
White, Greenish White or Grey
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
6.1.6 Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Vitreous
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
189.00 N/mm260.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
Transparent to Translucent
6.1.12 Density
1.5-2.5 g/cm32.7-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.88 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
India, Russia
South Korea
7.1.2 Africa
South Africa
Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Iceland
Great Britain, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
Not Yet Found
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Not Yet Found
Central Australia, Western Australia