Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
Cataclasite is a type of cataclastic rock that is formed by fracturing and comminution during faulting. It is normally cohesive and non-foliated, consisting of angular clasts in a finer-grained matrix
Origin
USA
Swiss Alps, Europe
Discoverer
Unknown
Michael Tellinger
Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From the Italian word cataclasi
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Dull and Soft
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Cataclastic rock
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
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.
Cataclasiste rocks mainly form by pressure deep under the Earth's surface, from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
-
Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
-
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Streak
Light to dark brown
Black
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.46-2.86
2.1
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm3
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
South Korea
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Western Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
-
Canada, USA
South America
-
Argentina, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Pseudotachylite and Cataclasite Properties
Know all about Pseudotachylite and Cataclasite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite and Cataclasite belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Cataclasite is Clastic. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Pseudotachylite and Cataclasite is vitreous. Pseudotachylite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.