Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
Charnockite is a variety of granite containing minerals like orthopyroxene, quartz, and feldspar
Origin
USA
Tamil Nadu, India
Discoverer
Unknown
T. H. Holland
Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From Job Charnock, an administtrator of East India Company
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Black, Grey, Orange, Pink, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull and Soft
Veined or Pebbled
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens, Stair Treads
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Bridges, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Resorts
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
As Dimension Stone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Curling, Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Tombstones
Types
Cataclastic rock
Enderbite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, It is One of the Oldest, Strongest and Hardest 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.
Charnockite is an intrusive igneous rock which is very hard and is formed due to weathering of existing rocks.
Mineral Content
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Amphibole, Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
-
Biological Weathering
Types of Erosion
-
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Coarse Grained
Streak
Light to dark brown
White
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.46-2.86
-9999
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm3
2.6 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Africa
Western Africa
East Africa, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique
Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
Albania, Romania, Scotland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
South America
-
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
All about Pseudotachylite and Charnockite Properties
Know all about Pseudotachylite and Charnockite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Charnockite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Charnockite is Granular. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Charnockite appears Veined or Pebbled. The luster of Pseudotachylite is vitreous while that of Charnockite is . Pseudotachylite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Charnockite is available in black, grey, orange, pink, white colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Charnockite are curling, gemstone, laboratory bench tops, tombstones.