1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Very fine grained fault rock which is composed of glassy matrix that often contains inclusions of wall-rock fragments.
Rhyolite is a fine-grained igneous rock which is rich in silica
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
Ferdinand von Richthofen
1.3 Etymology
From pseudo- + tachylite, a glassy rock generated by frictional heat within faults.
From German Rhyolit, from Greek rhuax lava stream + lithos stone
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Quench
Aphanitic, Glassy, Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
Grey, White, Light Black
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
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
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Knives
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone
Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
Pumice Rocks, Obsidian Rocks, Perlite Rocks, Porphyritic Rocks.
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
Acidic in nature, Available in lots of colors
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Not Applicable
4.3.3 Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
4.4 Fossils
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.
Rhyolite is a felsic extrusive rock and due to its high silica content, rhyolite lava is very viscous and is volcanic equivalent of granite.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Iron Oxides, Pyroxene, Quartz, Stishovite, Sulfides
Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Carbon Dioxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
Ca, Fe, Potassium Oxide, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional 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, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Large and Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
Light to dark brown
Colorless
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
60.00 N/mm2140.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.7-2.9 g/cm32.4-2.6 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
7.1.2 Africa
Western Africa
Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Great Britain, Switzerland
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Not Yet Found
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
Not Yet Found
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia