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What is Tephrite?



Definition

Definition
Tephrite is an aphanitic to porphyritic textured, volcanic igneous rock

History

Origin
Germany

Discoverer
Van Tooren

Etymology
From Greek tephra, ashes from Indo-European base, to burn

Class
Igneous Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group
Volcanic

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

Texture

Texture
Aphanitic to Porphyritic

Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, White

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
Yes

Scratch Resistant
Yes

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
Yes

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Vesicular

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry
Landscaping

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner

Types

Types
Igneous rock

Features
Host Rock for Lead

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Absent

Formation

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.

Composition

Mineral Content
Alkali feldspar, Nepheline, Plagioclase, Pyroxene

Compound Content
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism
Yes

Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
6.5

Grain Size
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

Fracture
Uneven

Streak
Bluish Black

Porosity
Very Less Porous

Luster
Subvitreous to Dull

Compressive Strength
90.00 N/mm2 32

Cleavage
Crenulation and Pervasive

Toughness
2.4

Specific Gravity
2.86

Transparency
Opaque

Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K 10

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
-

Africa
Namibia, Uganda

Europe
Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
USA

South America
-

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
New Zealand, Western Australia

Summary >>
<< Reserves

Igneous Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Tephrite

What is Tephrite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Tephrite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Tephrite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Tephrite is 90.00 N/mm2. Streak of Tephrite is bluish black while its cleavage is crenulation and pervasive. Luster of Tephrite is subvitreous to dull and its fracture is uneven. Tephrite is opaque in nature. Know all about Tephrite, What is Tephrite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Tephrite

What is Tephrite composed of? Get to know about composition of Tephrite here. Tephrite definition gives information about the Formation of Tephrite and its composition.The composition of Tephrite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Tephrite rock includes Alkali feldspar, Nepheline, Plagioclase, Pyroxene and The compound content of Tephrite rock includes CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Tephrite rock in next section.

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