Definition
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism
Talc carbonate is nothing but a rock sequence or a mineral composition found in metamorphic ultramafic rocks.
Origin
England
China, USA, Middle east
Discoverer
Abraham Gottlob Werner
Unknown
Etymology
From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat)
From medieval Latin, talcum
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Foliated
Very Soft
Color
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Light to Dark Grey, Purple, Red, Shades of Blue
Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens, Stair Treads
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Powder
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone
Source of calcium
Medical Industry
-
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Blackboards, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Standard material for the bed of Billiard table, Standard material for the beds of Pool and Snooker table, Tombstones, Used in aquariums, Writing Slates
Manufacturing of baby powder
Types
Phyllite, Schist, and Slate
Sedimentary rock
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Surfaces are often shiny, Very fine grained rock
Easily splits into thin plates, Generally rough to touch, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Slate is a low grade metamorphic rock that is generally formed by metamorphosis of mudstone or shale, under relatively low pressure and temperature conditions.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Talc Carbonate is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon
Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
-
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
-
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Fine Grained
Streak
Light to dark brown
White
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.65-2.8
2.86
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent
Density
2.6-2.8 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Turkey
-
Africa
-
Ethiopia, Ghana, Western Africa
Europe
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
England
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
USA
Canada, USA
South America
Brazil
Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
-
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
All about Slate and Talc carbonate Properties
Know all about Slate and Talc carbonate properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Slate and Talc carbonate belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Slate is Foliated whereas that of Talc carbonate is Very Soft. Slate appears Dull and Talc carbonate appears Soft. The luster of Slate is dull while that of Talc carbonate is pearly. Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors whereas Talc carbonate is available in grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Slate are blackboards, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, standard material for the bed of billiard table, standard material for the beds of pool and snooker table, tombstones, used in aquariums, writing slates and that of Talc carbonate are manufacturing of baby powder.