Hornfels Facts
Hornfels Facts
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Interesting Hornfels Facts: |
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The structure of the hornfels is characterized by the small-grained mosaic make-up. |
Hornfels are used in a number of applications like in the field of construction and landscaping. It is used as a decorative rock in gardens. In the olden times, it is used as a tool like scrapers and knives. |
Hornfels is used as a road base and in concrete and is most often dark blue or almost a black color. |
The interior use of hornfels is found in homes and businesses in the decorative aggregates, flooring, countertops, and bathrooms. |
The exterior use of hornfels is viewed in building construction, paving stones, and a variety of gardening decorations. |
In prehistoric times, hornfels was used to make simple tools such as knives, scrapers, and arrowheads. |
Hornfels are defined by the physical properties such as hardness, strength, grain size, fracture, porosity, and streak. It is these physical properties that determine usage. |
Because pressure is not a main factor in the formation of hornfels, and the texture is granular, platy or elongated crystals, there is a lack of foliation as often seen in many metamorphic rocks formed under high pressure. |
During the formation of hornfels, the pre-existing rock is destroyed. |
Hornfels are typically found only by microscopic observation and not witnessed by eye alone. However, under a microscope the structure becomes very distinctive revealing the small-grained mosaic design. |
There is a second group of hornfels are called the calc-silicate hornfels which originate from the thermal alteration of impure limestone. These rocks are fine-grained, and even though they are often banded, they are tough and much harder than the original limestone. |
Hornfels have the ability to resonate when struck. The stones in South Africa are called "ring-stones" due to their ability to ring like a bell after being struck with an object. |
Related Links: Facts Rocks Facts Animals Facts Metamorphic Rocks Facts Slate Facts Gneiss Facts |