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Skarn and Cataclasite


Cataclasite and Skarn


Definition

Definition
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin  
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  

History
  
  

Origin
USA, Australia  
Swiss Alps, Europe  

Discoverer
Tornebohm  
Michael Tellinger  

Etymology
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.  
From the Italian word cataclasi  

Class
Metamorphic Rocks  
Metamorphic Rocks  

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock  
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock  

Family
  
  

Group
-  
-  

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock  

Texture

Texture
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough  
Clastic  

Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White  
Brown, Green, White, Yellow  

Maintenance
Less  
Less  

Durability
Durable  
Durable  

Water Resistant
Yes  
Yes  

Scratch Resistant
Yes  
No  

Stain Resistant
No  
No  

Wind Resistant
Yes  
No  

Acid Resistant
Yes  
No  

Appearance
Dull  
Dull and Banded  

Uses

Architecture
  
  

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration  
Decorative Aggregates, Homes  

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

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing  
Curbing  

Industry
  
  

Construction Industry
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Gold and Silver production, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories  
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate  

Medical Industry
-  
-  

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture  
Artifacts  

Other Uses
  
  

Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)  
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork  

Types

Types
Endoskarns  
Protocataclasite, Mesocataclasite, Ultracataclasite and Foliated cataclasite  

Features
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits  
Easily splits into thin plates, Is one of the oldest rock  

Archaeological Significance
  
  

Monuments
-  
-  

Famous Monuments
-  
-  

Sculpture
-  
-  

Famous Sculptures
-  
-  

Pictographs
-  
-  

Petroglyphs
-  
-  

Figurines
-  
-  

Fossils
Absent  
Absent  

Formation

Formation
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Skarn 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.  

Composition
  
  

Mineral Content
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite  
Albite, Apatite, Augite, Biotite, Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Pyroxene, Quartz  

Compound Content
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO  
Silicon Dioxide  

Transformation
  
  

Metamorphism
Yes  
No  

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism  
-  

Weathering
No  
Yes  

Types of Weathering
-  
Mechanical Weathering  

Erosion
No  
Yes  

Types of Erosion
-  
Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion  

Properties

Physical Properties
  
  

Hardness
6.5  
3-4  

Grain Size
Fine Grained  
Fine Grained  

Fracture
Irregular  
-  

Streak
Light to dark brown  
Black  

Porosity
Less Porous  
Less Porous  

Luster
Waxy and Dull  
Vitreous  

Compressive Strength
70.00 N/mm2  
35
50.00 N/mm2  
39

Cleavage
Slaty  
-  

Toughness
2.4  
-  

Specific Gravity
2.86  
2.1  

Transparency
Opaque  
Translucent to Opaque  

Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3  
2.9-3.1 g/cm3  

Thermal Properties
  
  

Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K  
10
0.84 kJ/Kg K  
15

Resistance
Heat Resistant  
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant  

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  

Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka  
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea  

Africa
South Africa, Western Africa  
Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa  

Europe
United Kingdom  
England, Finland, France, Spain, United Kingdom  

Others
-  
-  

Deposits in Western Continents
  
  

North America
Canada  
Canada, USA  

South America
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay  
Argentina, Colombia  

Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  

Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia  
Central Australia, Western Australia  

Summary >>
<< Reserves

All about Skarn and Cataclasite Properties

Know all about Skarn and Cataclasite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Skarn and Cataclasite belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough whereas that of Cataclasite is Clastic. Skarn appears Dull and Cataclasite appears Dull and Banded. The luster of Skarn is waxy and dull while that of Cataclasite is vitreous. Skarn is available in black, brown, green, grey, white colors whereas Cataclasite is available in brown, green, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Cataclasite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork.

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