What is Laterite?

Laterite

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Laterite rock is a type of Sedimentary rock which is rich in iron and aluminium, formed in hot and wet tropical areas

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

India

1.2.2 Discoverer

Francis Buchanan-Hamilton

1.3 Etymology

From Latin later brick, tile + -ite1

1.4 Class

Sedimentary Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Earthy, Massive, Porphyritic

2.2 Color

Brown, Buff, Red

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

2.4.1 Water Resistant

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59% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.2 Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

62% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.3 Stain Resistant

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43% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.4 Wind Resistant

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38% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.5 Acid Resistant

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22% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

2.5 Appearance

Rough and Banded

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Cobblestones, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

An Oil and Gas Reservoir, Source of bauxite, Used in aquariums

4 Types

4.1 Types

Not Available

4.2 Features

Is one of the oldest rock, Very fine grained rock

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

4.3.3 Sculpture

Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Used

4.4 Fossils

Present

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

Laterite is a type of sedimentary rock which is generally a reddish weathering product of basalt.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

5.2.2 Compound Content

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

19% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Not Applicable

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

78% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

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86% Sedimentary Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

6.1.2 Grain Size

Fine Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Highly Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Dull

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

What Is Flint

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▼

Not Available

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Obsidian

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▶

175 (What Is Grani..)

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6.1.8 Cleavage

Not Applicable

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

Not Available

6.1.11 Transparency

Opaque

6.1.12 Density

Not Available

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

What Is Banded ..

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▼

Not Available

Rank: N/A (Overall)▶

▲

What Is Granulite

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1.09 (What Is Trave..)

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6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

India

7.1.2 Africa

East Africa, Western Africa

7.1.3 Europe

England, Romania, Scotland

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Canada, USA

7.2.2 South America

Not Yet Found

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

Central Australia, Western Australia

Fossil Rocks » More

Oil shale

Arkose

Siltstone

Diatomite

Greywacke

Claystone

More Fossil Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Laterite

What is Laterite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Laterite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Laterite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Laterite is Not Available. Streak of Laterite is white while its cleavage is not applicable. Luster of Laterite is dull and its fracture is conchoidal. Laterite is opaque in nature. Know all about Laterite, What is Laterite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Laterite

What is Laterite composed of? Get to know about composition of Laterite here. Laterite definition gives information about the Formation of Laterite and its composition.The composition of Laterite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Laterite rock includes Aluminum Oxides, Biotite, Hematite, Hornblade, Iron Oxides, Manganese Oxides, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene and The compound content of Laterite rock includes Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Laterite rock in next section.