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What is Oolite?



Definition

Definition
Oolite is a sedimentary rock formed from ooids, spherical grains which are composed of concentric layers of calcite

History

Origin
-

Discoverer
William Smith

Etymology
From oo- + -lite, after German Oolit. A rock consisting of fine grains of carbonate of lime

Class
Sedimentary Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Family

Group
Volcanic

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic

Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Cream, Green, Grey, Pink, Red, Silver, White, Yellow

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
No

Scratch Resistant
Yes

Stain Resistant
Yes

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Rounded and Rough

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

Other Architectural Uses
-

Industry

Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Cobblestones, Landscaping

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Jewelry, Used in aquariums

Types

Types
Pisolitic Oolite and Oncolitic Oolite

Features
Available in lots of colors, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Present

Formation

Formation
Oolites form when layers of calcite are deposited around a sand grain or fossil piece and are rolled around in calm water, which makes them round.

Composition

Mineral Content
Calcite, Chert, Clay, Dolomite, Quartz, Sand, Silt

Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, Ca, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, MgO

Transformation

Metamorphism
No

Types of Metamorphism
-

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
3-4

Grain Size
Fine Grained

Fracture
Conchoidal

Streak
White

Porosity
Less Porous

Luster
Pearly to Shiny

Compressive Strength
40.00 N/mm2 40

Cleavage
-

Toughness
1

Specific Gravity
-9999

Transparency
Opaque

Density
-9999 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.65 kJ/Kg K 25

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Europe
United Kingdom

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
USA

South America
Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula

Summary >>
<< Reserves

Sedimentary Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Oolite

What is Oolite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Oolite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Oolite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Oolite is 40.00 N/mm2. Streak of Oolite is white while its cleavage is . Luster of Oolite is pearly to shiny and its fracture is conchoidal. Oolite is opaque in nature. Know all about Oolite, What is Oolite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Oolite

What is Oolite composed of? Get to know about composition of Oolite here. Oolite definition gives information about the Formation of Oolite and its composition.The composition of Oolite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Oolite rock includes Calcite, Chert, Clay, Dolomite, Quartz, Sand, Silt and The compound content of Oolite rock includes Aluminium Oxide, Ca, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, MgO. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Oolite rock in next section.

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