Skarn and Diabase

Skarn

Diabase

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

Diabase is a fine-grained igneous rock which is composed mostly of pyroxene and feldspar

History

Origin

USA, Australia

Germany

Discoverer

Tornebohm

Christian Leopold von Buch

Etymology

From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.

From Greek di + base

Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Igneous Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group

Not Applicable

Volcanic

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough

Aphanitic, Granular

Color

Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White

Dark Grey to Black

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Water Resistant

Yes

Scratch Resistant

Yes

Stain Resistant

Yes

Wind Resistant

Yes

Acid Resistant

Yes

Appearance

Dull

Vesicular

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration, Kitchens

Exterior Uses

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

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses

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

Not Applicable

Not Yet Used

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)

An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry, Sea Defence, Tombstones

Types

Endoskarns

Not Available

Features

Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits

Smooth to touch

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Used

Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire

Sculpture

Used

Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

Pictographs

Not Used

Petroglyphs

Not Used

Figurines

Used

Fossils

Absent

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.

Diabase forms when molten igneous rock is squeezed up into a vertical crack in other rocks, the crack is usually forced apart and the molten rock cools in the space to form a tabular igneous intrusion cutting across the surrounding rocks and is known as a dike.

Composition

Mineral Content

Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite

Augite, Chlorite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Pyrrhotite, Serpentine

Compound Content

Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Trioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism

Yes

Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Weathering

Yes

Types of Weathering

Not Applicable

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering

Erosion

Yes

Types of Erosion

Not Applicable

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

6.5

Grain Size

Fine Grained

Fine to Medium Grained

Fracture

Irregular

Conchoidal

Streak

Light to dark brown

Black

Porosity

Less Porous

Highly Porous

Luster

Waxy and Dull

Not Available

Compressive Strength

Not Available

225.00 N/mm²

Cleavage

Slaty

Not Available

Toughness

2.4

1.6

Specific Gravity

2.86

2.86-2.87

Transparency

Opaque

Density

2.8-2.9 g/cm³

2.7-3.3 g/cm³

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K

Not Available

Resistance

Heat Resistant

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

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

India

Africa

South Africa, Western Africa

South Africa, Tanzania

Europe

United Kingdom

Germany, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Turkey

Others

Not Yet Found

Antarctica, Greenland

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada

Canada, USA

South America

Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia

Summary >>

<< Reserves

All about Skarn and Diabase Properties

Know all about Skarn and Diabase properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Skarn belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Diabase belongs to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough whereas that of Diabase is Aphanitic, Granular. Skarn appears Dull and Diabase appears Vesicular. The luster of Skarn is waxy and dull while that of Diabase is not available. Skarn is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors whereas Diabase is available in dark grey to black colors. The commercial uses of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Diabase are an oil and gas reservoir, cemetery markers, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, jewelry, sea defence, tombstones.