1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Rhyolite is a fine-grained igneous rock which is rich in silica
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
North America
1.2.2 Discoverer
Ferdinand von Richthofen
1.3 Etymology
From German Rhyolit, from Greek rhuax lava stream + lithos stone
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Volcanic
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Aphanitic, Glassy, Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Grey, White, Light Black
2.3 Maintenance
More
2.4 Durability
Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
✔
✘
81% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
✔
✘
86% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
✔
✘
66% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
✔
✘
49% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
✔
✘
48% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.5 Appearance
Banded
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Knives
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry
4 Types
4.1 Types
Pumice Rocks, Obsidian Rocks, Perlite Rocks, Porphyritic Rocks.
4.2 Features
Acidic in nature, Available in lots of colors
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Not Yet Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
4.3.3 Sculpture
Not Yet Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
4.3.5 Pictographs
Not Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Not Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Not Yet Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
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
Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Ca, Fe, Potassium Oxide, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
✔
✘
97% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
✔
✘
99% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
✔
✘
92% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Large and Coarse Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Sub-conchoidal
6.1.4 Streak
Colorless
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Earthy
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
140.00 N/mm2
Rank: 15 (Overall) ▶
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Not Available
6.1.9 Toughness
2
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India
7.1.2 Africa
Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia