Pseudotachylite

Obsidian

Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian

Pseudotachylite

Obsidian

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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.

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

USA

Ethiopia

1.2.2 Discoverer

Unknown

Obsius

1.3 Etymology

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

From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius

1.4 Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness 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

2.2 Color

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

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow

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

Shiny

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

Garden Decoration

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Not Yet Used

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

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

Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

Surgery

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments

Artifacts, Jewellery

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Gemstone

Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums

4 Types

4.1 Types

Not Available

Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian

4.2 Features

Host Rock for Lead

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Not Used

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Not Used

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 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.

When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides

Not Available

5.2.2 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

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Not Applicable

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

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

75-5.5

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Very fine-grained

Not Applicable

6.1.3 Fracture

Uneven

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

Light to dark brown

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Less Porous

Very Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

60.00 N/mm²0.15 N/mm²

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Irregular

Non-Existent

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.46-2.862.6-2.7

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Transparent to Translucent

Translucent

6.1.12 Density

2.7-2.9 g/cm³2.6 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

South Korea

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

7.1.2 Africa

Western Africa

Kenya

7.1.3 Europe

Great Britain, Switzerland

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

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

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

New Zealand

Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Pseudotachylite and Obsidian Reserves. Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.. Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian information and Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian characteristics in the upcoming sections.

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Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Pseudotachylite and Properties of Obsidian. Learn more about Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian in the next section. The interior uses of Pseudotachylite include Decorative aggregates, Entryways and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Obsidian include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Pseudotachylite and Obsidian, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Pseudotachylite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate, Making natural cement and that of Obsidian include Arrowheads, Cutting tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear points.

More about Pseudotachylite and Obsidian

Here you can know more about Pseudotachylite and Obsidian. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Pseudotachylite and Obsidian consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Pseudotachylite includes Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides and mineral content of Obsidian is not available. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Pseudotachylite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas, Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors. Appearance of Pseudotachylite is Dull and Soft and that of Obsidian is Shiny. Properties of rock is another aspect for Pseudotachylite vs Obsidian. The hardness of Pseudotachylite is 7 and that of Obsidian is 5-5.5. The types of Pseudotachylite are Not Available whereas types of Obsidian are Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Pseudotachylite is light to dark brown while that of Obsidian is white. The specific heat capacity of Pseudotachylite is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Obsidian is 0.92 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Pseudotachylite is heat resistant whereas Obsidian is heat resistant, impact resistant.