Definition
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone
A sedimentary rock, deposit of a submarine turbidity currents and are composed of layered particles
Origin
-
European Foreland Basins
Discoverer
Unknown
Arnold H. Bouma
Etymology
From quartz + -ite
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
Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Foliated, Granular
Mud-rich, Sandy
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Grey, Purple, White, Yellow
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Lustrous
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As armour rock for sea walls, Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, In aquifers, Laboratory bench tops, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones, Used in aquariums
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Types
Orthoquartzite and Metaquartzite
Sedimentary rock
Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
High silica content, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure.
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
Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Medium Grained
Fine to Coarse Grained
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
Splintery
Streak
White
White, Greenish White or Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Cleavage
Indiscernible
Disjunctive
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.8
2.46-2.73
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Opaque
Density
2.32-2.42 g/cm3
1.6-2.5 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey
-
Africa
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Western Africa
Europe
England, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, United Kingdom
Austria, Belarus, Romania, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Bahamas, Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Brazil, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia
Quartzite vs Turbidite 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. Quartzite vs Turbidite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Quartzite and Properties of Turbidite. Learn more about Quartzite vs Turbidite in the next section. The interior uses of Quartzite include Countertops, Decorative aggregates, Flooring and Homes whereas the interior uses of Turbidite include Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative aggregates, Flooring, Homes and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Quartzite and Turbidite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Quartzite in construction industry include Arrowheads, As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, Cutting tool, For road aggregate, Making natural cement, Production of glass and ceramics, Rail track ballast, Roadstone and that of Turbidite include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Making natural cement.
More about Quartzite and Turbidite
Here you can know more about Quartzite and Turbidite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Quartzite and Turbidite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Quartzite includes Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz and mineral content of Turbidite includes Coesite, Quartz, Sand. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Quartzite vs Turbidite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Quartzite is available in black, blue, brown, green, light grey, purple, white, yellow colors whereas, Turbidite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink colors. Appearance of Quartzite is Lustrous and that of Turbidite is Dull and Banded. Properties of rock is another aspect for Quartzite vs Turbidite. The hardness of Quartzite is 6-7 and that of Turbidite is 3. The types of Quartzite are Orthoquartzite and Metaquartzite whereas types of Turbidite are Sedimentary rock. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Quartzite is white while that of Turbidite is white, greenish white or grey. The specific heat capacity of Quartzite is 0.75 kJ/Kg K and that of Turbidite 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.Quartzite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Turbidite is heat resistant.