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Definition

Definition
Pumice is a volcanic rock that consists of highly vesicular rough textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals

History

Origin
Spain

Discoverer
Unknown

Etymology
From Old French pomis, from a Latin dialect variant of pumex

Class
Igneous Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Family

Group
Volcanic

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Vesicular

Color
Beige, Grey, Light Green, Light Grey, Pink, White, Yellow- grey

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
Yes

Scratch Resistant
Yes

Stain Resistant
Yes

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
Yes

Appearance
Vesicular

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing, Powder

Industry

Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, In landscaping and horticulture, Making natural cement, Production of lightweight concrete blocks

Medical Industry
As an abrasive in skin exfoliating products, In Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry, Medicines and Cosmetics

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
As a traction material on snow-covered roads, As an abrasive in pencil erasers, Fine abrasive used for polishing, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Used in aquariums

Types

Types
Scoria

Features
Host Rock for Lead

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Absent

Formation

Formation
Pumice rock forms when the magma cools so quickly that atoms in the melt are not able to arrange themselves into a crystalline structure.

Composition

Mineral Content
Aluminum Oxides, Calcite, Carbonate, Iron Oxides, Silica

Compound Content
Al, Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism
Yes

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
6

Grain Size
Fine Grained

Fracture
Planar

Streak
White, Greenish White or Grey

Porosity
Highly Porous

Luster
Earthy

Compressive Strength
51.20 N/mm2 38

Cleavage
Perfect

Toughness
3

Specific Gravity
2.86

Transparency
Opaque

Density
0.25-0.3 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.87 kJ/Kg K 14

Resistance
Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania

Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, USA

South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia

Definition >>
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Igneous Rocks

Information about Pumice

Rocks are naturally occurring solids which are composed of minerals & have been used by humans since ages. From Stone Age, rocks are used for various purposes. Also, the metals and minerals found in rock play an important role in our life. Get to know all the Pumice Uses. We have provided you with all information about Pumice rock here. Pumice is a volcanic rock that consists of highly vesicular rough textured volcanic glass, which may or may not contain crystals. Pumice is available in beige, grey, light green, light grey, pink, white, yellow- grey colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Pumice is white, greenish white or grey. Get to know more about Pumice rock and characteristics of Pumice rock in the next sections.

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