Home
Compare Rocks


Soapstone and Obsidian Definition


Obsidian and Soapstone Definition


Definition

Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc   
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth   

History
  
  

Origin
USA   
Ethiopia   

Discoverer
Unknown   
Obsius   

Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap   
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius   

Class
Metamorphic Rocks   
Igneous Rocks   

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

Family
  
  

Group
Not Applicable   
Volcanic   

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   
Opaque Rock   

Texture >>
<< Summary

Definition of Soapstone and Obsidian

The general Soapstone and Obsidian definition can be stated as: It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc. On the other hand, Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Along with definition of Soapstone and Obsidian, get to know about Properties of Soapstone and Obsidian. Get to know more information about Soapstone and Obsidian origin and discoverer, etymology and class.

Compare Metamorphic Rocks

History of Soapstone and Obsidian

The history of Soapstone and Obsidian gives information about where the rock was found and who was its discoverer. Almost each and every aspect of Earth's history is recorded in rocks be it the volcanoes which were erupted or the plants, animals and organisms which are now extinct, as rocks are present from millions of years.

Soapstone and Obsidian Origin and Discoverer

Soapstone and Obsidian definition gives us a brief idea about the two rocks. In some cases, the definition also gives summary about the Formation of Soapstone and Obsidian. In this section, you will know about Soapstone and Obsidian Origin and Discoverer. Origin of Soapstone is USA whereas Origin of Obsidian is Ethiopia. It is interesting to know the name of Soapstone and Obsidian discoverer. The Discoverer of Soapstone is Unknown and the discoverer of Obsidian is Obsius.

Etymology of Soapstone and Obsidian

Along with Soapstone and Obsidian definition, know more about the etymology of Soapstone and Obsidian. Etymology of Soapstone and Obsidian gives information about origin and formation of a particular rock. Know more about Formation of Soapstone and Formation of Obsidian. The etymology of Soapstone is From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap while that of Obsidian is From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap. The process of formation of rocks defines the class of rock. All the rocks in a class are formed by similar processes. Soapstone belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Obsidian belongs to Igneous Rocks. The sub-class, group and other categories of Soapstone and Obsidian are listed below.

For Soapstone,

For Obsidian,

Metamorphic Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

» More Metamorphic Rocks

Compare Metamorphic Rocks

» More Compare Metamorphic Rocks