Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
Origin
USA
European Foreland Basins
Discoverer
Unknown
Arnold H. Bouma
Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From Medieval Latin turbiditas, from Latin turbidus (turbid). Turbidity current is from 1939
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Quench
Mud-rich, Sandy
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull and Soft
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Cataclastic rock
Sedimentary rock
Features
Host Rock for Lead
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
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.
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
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
-
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
-
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
Fracture
Uneven
Splintery
Streak
Light to dark brown
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.46-2.86
2.46-2.73
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm3
1.6-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Africa
Western Africa
Western Africa
Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
-
Canada, USA
South America
-
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia
All about Pseudotachylite and Turbidite Properties
Know all about Pseudotachylite and Turbidite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Turbidite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Turbidite is Mud-rich, Sandy. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Turbidite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Pseudotachylite is vitreous while that of Turbidite is metallic. Pseudotachylite and Turbidite are available in black, brown, green, grey, pink, white colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Turbidite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.