What is Rhyolite?

Rhyolite

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Rhyolite is a fine-grained igneous rock which is rich in silica

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

North America

1.2.2 Discoverer

Ferdinand von Richthofen

1.3 Etymology

From German Rhyolit, from Greek rhuax lava stream + lithos stone

1.4 Class

Igneous Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Hard Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Volcanic

1.6 Other Categories

Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Aphanitic, Glassy, Porphyritic

2.2 Color

Grey, White, Light Black

2.3 Maintenance

2.4 Durability

Durable

2.4.1 Water Resistant

✔ ✘

81% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.2 Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

86% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.3 Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

66% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.4 Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

49% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

2.4.5 Acid Resistant

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48% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

2.5 Appearance

Banded

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Office Buildings

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Not Yet Used

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Knives

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry

4 Types

4.1 Types

Pumice Rocks, Obsidian Rocks, Perlite Rocks, Porphyritic Rocks.

4.2 Features

Acidic in nature, Available in lots of colors

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Not Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Not Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 Fossils

Absent

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

Rhyolite is a felsic extrusive rock and due to its high silica content, rhyolite lava is very viscous and is volcanic equivalent of granite.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz

5.2.2 Compound Content

Ca, Fe, Potassium Oxide, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

97% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

99% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

92% Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

6-7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Large and Coarse Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Sub-conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

Colorless

6.1.5 Porosity

Highly Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Earthy

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

What Is Flint

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140.00 N/mm²

Rank: 15 (Overall)▶

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What Is Obsidian

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▶

175 (What Is Grani..)

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6.1.8 Cleavage

Not Available

6.1.9 Toughness

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.65-2.67

6.1.11 Transparency

Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.4-2.6 g/cm³

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, Wear Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

China, India

7.1.2 Africa

Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa

7.1.3 Europe

Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain

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

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia

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Learn more about Properties of Rhyolite

What is Rhyolite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Rhyolite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Rhyolite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Rhyolite is 140.00 N/mm². Streak of Rhyolite is colorless while its cleavage is not available. Luster of Rhyolite is earthy and its fracture is sub-conchoidal. Rhyolite is opaque in nature. Know all about Rhyolite, What is Rhyolite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Rhyolite

What is Rhyolite composed of? Get to know about composition of Rhyolite here. Rhyolite definition gives information about the Formation of Rhyolite and its composition.The composition of Rhyolite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Rhyolite rock includes Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz and The compound content of Rhyolite rock includes Ca, Fe, Potassium Oxide, Mg, Potassium, Silicon Dioxide, Sodium. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Rhyolite rock in next section.