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Tonalite and Obsidian Definition


Obsidian and Tonalite Definition


Definition

Definition
Tonalite is a coarse-grained plutonic rock consisting mainly of sodic plagioclase, quartz, and hornblende or other mafic minerals with phaneritic texture   
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
Tonale, Italy   
Ethiopia   

Discoverer
Unknown   
Obsius   

Etymology
From Tonale Pass, northern Italy, + -ite1   
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius   

Class
Igneous Rocks   
Igneous Rocks   

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

Family
  
  

Group
Plutonic   
Volcanic   

Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   
Opaque Rock   

Texture >>
<< Summary

Definition of Tonalite and Obsidian

The general Tonalite and Obsidian definition can be stated as: Tonalite is a coarse-grained plutonic rock consisting mainly of sodic plagioclase, quartz, and hornblende or other mafic minerals with phaneritic texture. 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 Tonalite and Obsidian, get to know about Properties of Tonalite and Obsidian. Get to know more information about Tonalite and Obsidian origin and discoverer, etymology and class.

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History of Tonalite and Obsidian

The history of Tonalite 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.

Tonalite and Obsidian Origin and Discoverer

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

Etymology of Tonalite and Obsidian

Along with Tonalite and Obsidian definition, know more about the etymology of Tonalite and Obsidian. Etymology of Tonalite and Obsidian gives information about origin and formation of a particular rock. Know more about Formation of Tonalite and Formation of Obsidian. The etymology of Tonalite is From Tonale Pass, northern Italy, + -ite1 while that of Obsidian is From Tonale Pass, northern Italy, + -ite1. The process of formation of rocks defines the class of rock. All the rocks in a class are formed by similar processes. Tonalite and Obsidian belong to Igneous Rocks. The sub-class, group and other categories of Tonalite and Obsidian are listed below.

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