Definition
Tephrite is an aphanitic to porphyritic textured, volcanic igneous rock
During the impact melted material forming a breccia containing glass and crystal or lithic fragments together form Suevite rock.
Origin
Germany
Canada, Germany
Discoverer
Van Tooren
Unknown
Etymology
From Greek tephra, ashes from Indo-European base, to burn
No etymologies found
Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Aphanitic to Porphyritic
Earthy
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Pink
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Vesicular
Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Landscaping
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Commercial Uses
Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner
As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Types
Igneous rock
Phyllosilicates, Calcite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Tephrite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Suevite is a metamorphic rock consisting partly of melted material, typically forming a breccia containing glass and crystal or lithic fragments, formed during an impact event.
Mineral Content
Alkali feldspar, Nepheline, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Coesite, Quartz, Stishovite
Compound Content
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
-
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion
-
Grain Size
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained
Coarse Grained
Streak
Bluish Black
Light to dark brown
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Subvitreous to Dull
Earthy
Cleavage
Crenulation and Pervasive
-
Specific Gravity
2.86
2.86
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Europe
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain
England, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia
-
All about Tephrite and Suevite Properties
Know all about Tephrite and Suevite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Tephrite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Suevite belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Tephrite is Aphanitic to Porphyritic whereas that of Suevite is Earthy. Tephrite appears Vesicular and Suevite appears Banded. The luster of Tephrite is subvitreous to dull while that of Suevite is earthy. Tephrite is available in black, brown, green, grey, white colors whereas Suevite is available in black, brown, green, grey, pink colors. The commercial uses of Tephrite are production of lime, soil conditioner and that of Suevite are as a feed additive for livestock, gemstone, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo).