30 - Chlorite Schist

Hello friends, Welcome to the Rock Repository at the Department of Geology, Shivaji Science College, Nagpur.

I am chlorite schist, a type of foliated metamorphic rock. You can recognize me by my distinctive green colour and my fine-grained texture. Unlike some of my metamorphic cousins, my name gives away one of my key ingredients - chlorite, a green mineral that dominates my composition. My formation story begins with the metamorphism of pre-existing rocks, usually shale or basalt, under conditions of moderate heat and pressure. During this process, minerals like chlorite form and grow, giving me my characteristic green colour. Sometimes, you might spot other minerals like quartz, feldspar, or mica mixed in with me, but chlorite is usually the star of the show. My texture is typically foliated, meaning I have layers or bands of minerals aligned parallel to each other. These layers give me a banded appearance and are a result of the intense pressure and heat that transformed me from my original form. My green colour and smooth texture make me a popular choice for decorative purposes in construction and landscaping. You might find me as a facing stone on buildings, as well as in countertops, flooring, and other architectural features. Geologists study me to understand the processes of metamorphism and the conditions under which rocks like me form. By examining my mineral composition and texture, they can learn about the geological history of the Earth and the forces that have shaped its surface over millions of years. Thank you for visiting.