Pseudotachylite

Variolite

Pseudotachylite and Variolite

Pseudotachylite

Variolite

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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.

Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks which exhibit pale colored spots, or spherules, especially on weathered surfaces, that give them a pockmarked appearance

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

USA

France

1.2.2 Discoverer

Unknown

1.3 Etymology

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

From Latin varius, speckled, variegated

1.4 Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

Volcanic

1.6 Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Quench

Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular

2.2 Color

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

Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey

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

2 Uses

2.1 Architecture

2.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens

2.2.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

2.2.3 Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

2.3 Industry

2.3.2 Construction Industry

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

As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone

2.3.3 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

2.5 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

2.7 Other Uses

2.7.1 Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Gemstone

Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork

3 Types

3.1 Types

Not Available

3.2 Features

Host Rock for Lead

Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock

3.4 Archaeological Significance

3.4.1 Monuments

Used

3.5.1 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

3.5.2 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

Used

4.1.1 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

Data Not Available

4.2.1 Pictographs

Not Used

Used

4.3.1 Petroglyphs

Not Used

Used

4.3.2 Figurines

Not Yet Used

Used

4.5 Fossils

Absent

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.

Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks that exhibit pale colored spots on weathered surfaces that give them a pockmarked appearance.

5.2 Composition

5.2.2 Mineral Content

Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides

Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

5.2.3 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

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.3 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

5.3.5 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Weathering

Not Applicable

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.4.1 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.4.2 Types of Erosion

Not Applicable

7 Properties

7.1 Physical Properties

7.1.1 Hardness

1 7

10.1.2 Grain Size

Very fine-grained

Not Applicable

10.1.3 Fracture

Uneven

Conchoidal

10.1.4 Streak

Light to dark brown

White to Grey

10.1.5 Porosity

Less Porous

10.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

Not Available

10.1.7 Compressive Strength

60.00 N/mm²37.50 N/mm²

0.15 450

10.1.14 Cleavage

Irregular

Not Available

10.1.15 Toughness

Not Available

2.3

10.1.16 Specific Gravity

2.46-2.862.8-3

0 8.4

10.1.17 Transparency

Transparent to Translucent

Opaque

10.1.18 Density

2.7-2.9 g/cm³2.9-3.1 g/cm³

0 1400

10.2 Thermal Properties

10.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.84 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

10.3.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

11 Reserves

11.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

11.1.1 Asia

South Korea

India, Russia

11.1.2 Africa

Western Africa

South Africa

11.1.3 Europe

Great Britain, Switzerland

Iceland

11.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

11.2 Deposits in Western Continents

11.2.1 North America

Not Yet Found

Canada, USA

11.2.2 South America

Not Yet Found

Brazil

11.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

11.3.1 Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

Not Yet Found

All about Pseudotachylite and Variolite Properties

Know all about Pseudotachylite and Variolite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Pseudotachylite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Variolite belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Pseudotachylite is Quench whereas that of Variolite is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular. Pseudotachylite appears Dull and Soft and Variolite appears Dull and Soft. The luster of Pseudotachylite is vitreous while that of Variolite is not available. Pseudotachylite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Variolite is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. The commercial uses of Pseudotachylite are creating artwork, gemstone and that of Variolite are cemetery markers, creating artwork.