Pseudotachylite

Novaculite

Pseudotachylite and Novaculite

Pseudotachylite

Novaculite

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.

Novaculite is a dense, hard, fine-grained, siliceous metamorpic rock which is a type of chert that breaks with conchoidal fracture

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

USA

Unknown

1.2.2 Discoverer

Unknown

1.3 Etymology

From pseudo- +‎ tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.

From Latin word novacula, for razor stone

1.4 Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Quench

Banded, Glassy, Rough, Vitreous

2.2 Color

Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White

Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

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

Dull and Soft

Glassy or Pearly

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, Garden Decoration

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement

Arrowheads, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Knives, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone, Spear Points, Used to sharpen metal tools and weapons

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Gemstone

Cemetery Markers, Gemstone, In aquifers, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, Manufacture of tools, Pebbles are used in ball mills to grind in ceramics industry, To determine the gold content of jewelry

4 Types

4.1 Types

Not Available

4.2 Features

Host Rock for Lead

Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Not Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Not Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 Fossils

Absent

Present

5 Formation

5.1 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.

Novaculite forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The formation of Novaculite can be either of chemical or biological origin.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides

Quartz, Silicon

5.2.2 Compound Content

Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur

Ca, Silicon Dioxide

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

Not Applicable

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Not Applicable

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Very fine-grained

Fine Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Uneven

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

Light to dark brown

Colorless

6.1.5 Porosity

Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

Waxy and Dull

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

60.00 N/mm²450.00 N/mm²

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Irregular

Non-Existent

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

1.5

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.46-2.862.5-2.7

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Transparent to Translucent

Translucent to Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.7-2.9 g/cm³2.7 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.74 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

South Korea

China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

7.1.2 Africa

Western Africa

Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania

7.1.3 Europe

Great Britain, Switzerland

Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Not Yet Found

Canada, Mexico, USA

7.2.2 South America

Not Yet Found

Bolivia, Brazil

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

All about Pseudotachylite and Novaculite Properties

Know all about Pseudotachylite and Novaculite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Novaculite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Novaculite is Banded, Glassy, Rough, Vitreous. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Novaculite appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Pseudotachylite is vitreous while that of Novaculite is waxy and dull. Pseudotachylite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Novaculite is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Novaculite are cemetery markers, gemstone, in aquifers, in fire-starting tools, jewelry, manufacture of tools, pebbles are used in ball mills to grind in ceramics industry, to determine the gold content of jewelry.