Skarn

Diatomite

Skarn and Diatomite

Skarn

Diatomite

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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

Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth

History

Origin

USA, Australia

Germany

Discoverer

Tornebohm

Unknown

Etymology

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

From diatom + -ite1

Class

Metamorphic Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group

Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough

Clastic or Non-Clastic

Color

Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White

Grey, White, Yellow

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Non-Durable

Water Resistant

✔ ✘

Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

Appearance

Dull

Soft

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses

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

Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

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, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium

Medical Industry

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Artifacts

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

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

Alumina Refineries, Animal feed filler, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Creating Artwork, Drawing on blackboards, Fire resistant, Gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, In aquifers, Soil Conditioner, To ignite fire, Used as a filter medium, Used as an insecticide, Whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper

Types

Endoskarns

Diatomite

Features

Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits

Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Famous Monuments

Sculpture

Famous Sculptures

Pictographs

Petroglyphs

Figurines

Fossils

Absent

Present

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.

Diatomite rock formed from the skeletal remains of single celled plants called diatoms. When diatoms die, their skeletal remains sink to the bottom of lakes and oceans etc. hence forming diatomite deposit.

Composition

Mineral Content

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

Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand

Compound Content

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

Ca, NaCl, CaO

Transformation

Metamorphism

✔ ✘

Types of Metamorphism

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

Weathering

✔ ✘

Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion

✔ ✘

Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

6.51

1 7

👆🏻

Grain Size

Fine Grained

Very fine-grained

Fracture

Irregular

Streak

Light to dark brown

White

Porosity

Less Porous

Highly Porous

Luster

Waxy and Dull

Dull

Compressive Strength

70.00 N/mm²-

0.15 450

👆🏻

Cleavage

Slaty

Toughness

2.4

Specific Gravity

2.862.3-2.4

0 8.4

👆🏻

Transparency

Opaque

Density

2.8-2.9 g/cm³2.49-2.51 g/cm³

0 1400

👆🏻

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.90 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

👆🏻

Resistance

Heat Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

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

Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Africa

South Africa, Western Africa

Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Europe

United Kingdom

England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom

Others

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

Canada

Canada, USA

South America

Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay

Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

All about Skarn and Diatomite Properties

Know all about Skarn and Diatomite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Skarn belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Diatomite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough whereas that of Diatomite is Clastic or Non-Clastic. Skarn appears Dull and Diatomite appears Soft. The luster of Skarn is waxy and dull while that of Diatomite is dull. Skarn is available in black, brown, green, grey, white colors whereas Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Diatomite are alumina refineries, animal feed filler, as a feed additive for livestock, creating artwork, drawing on blackboards, fire resistant, gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, in aquifers, soil conditioner, to ignite fire, used as a filter medium, used as an insecticide, whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper.