Definition
A hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle is called as serpentinization, a group of minerals is formed by serpentinization compose rock 'serpentinite'.
Cataclasite is a type of cataclastic rock that is formed by fracturing and comminution during faulting. It is normally cohesive and non-foliated, consisting of angular clasts in a finer-grained matrix
Origin
USA
Swiss Alps, Europe
Discoverer
Unknown
Michael Tellinger
Etymology
From English word serpentinization.
From the Italian word cataclasi
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White
Brown, Green, White, Yellow
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Rough and Dull
Dull and Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork
Types
Jadeitite
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Serpentinite is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Cataclasiste rocks mainly form by pressure deep under the Earth's surface, from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Carbonate, Magnetite, Pyrrhotite, Serpentine, Sulfides
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz
Compound Content
Ca, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, KCl, MgO, Sulfur Dioxide, Sulphur
Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
-
Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Wind Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Streak
White, Greenish White or Grey
Black
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Waxy and Dull
Vitreous
Specific Gravity
2.79-3
2.1
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.5-3 g/cm3
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Africa
Ethiopia, Western Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa
Europe
England, Georgia, Switzerland, United Kingdom
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Argentina, Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
Serpentinite vs Cataclasite 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. Serpentinite vs Cataclasite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Serpentinite and Properties of Cataclasite. Learn more about Serpentinite vs Cataclasite in the next section. The interior uses of Serpentinite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Cataclasite include Decorative aggregates and Homes. Due to some exceptional properties of Serpentinite and Cataclasite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Serpentinite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate, Making natural cement and that of Cataclasite include As dimension stone, Building houses or walls, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate.
More about Serpentinite and Cataclasite
Here you can know more about Serpentinite and Cataclasite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Serpentinite and Cataclasite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Serpentinite includes Carbonate, Magnetite, Pyrrhotite, Serpentine, Sulfides and mineral content of Cataclasite includes Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Serpentinite vs Cataclasite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Serpentinite is available in black, brown, green, grey, white colors whereas, Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. Appearance of Serpentinite is Rough and Dull and that of Cataclasite is Dull and Banded. Properties of rock is another aspect for Serpentinite vs Cataclasite. The hardness of Serpentinite is 3-5 and that of Cataclasite is 3-4. The types of Serpentinite are Jadeitite whereas types of Cataclasite are Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Serpentinite is white, greenish white or grey while that of Cataclasite is black. The specific heat capacity of Serpentinite is 0.95 kJ/Kg K and that of Cataclasite is 0.84 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Serpentinite is heat resistant whereas Cataclasite is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant.