BGS Rock Classification Scheme
Porcellanite - A type of siliceous rock. It usually has a porosity of 15 to 30%. Porcellanites have the texture, lustre and conchoidal fracture of porcelain. They can be further classified as opaline-porcellanite and quartzose-porcellanite according to the type of silica. It may not be possible to accurately use this classification without X-ray analysis. British Geological Survey Research Report RR/99/03, section 8.2 and fig. 12.
| Code | PORCEL |
|---|---|
| Description | Porcellanite - A type of siliceous rock. It usually has a porosity of 15 to 30%. Porcellanites have the texture, lustre and conchoidal fracture of porcelain. They can be further classified as opaline-porcellanite and quartzose-porcellanite according to the type of silica. It may not be possible to accurately use this classification without X-ray analysis. British Geological Survey Research Report RR/99/03, section 8.2 and fig. 12. |
| Qualifiers | No qualifiers currently exist. |
| Definition | Non-clastic siliceous sedimentary rock with >50% silica of biogenic or chemical origin, porosity 15 to 30% with texture, lustre & conchoidal fracture of porcelain. Amorphous to cryptocrystalline, <0.004mm silica. |
| Linked data | http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/EarthMaterialClass/RockName/PORCEL |
CAVEAT
"Thumbnail" definitions attached to some of the table entries are an interim attempt to provide simple short descriptions of the "unqualified" rock types presented within the BGS Rock Classification Scheme. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and consistency but minor contradictions or omissions might be present. The BGS welcomes any feedback pointing out such minor imperfections and/or providing constructive comment and suggestions for improvement of the definitions. In the first instance such feedback should be directed to Dr Tim McCormick.