File:Steatite (soapstone) (Early Cretaceous; quarry apparently on Elliott Creek Ridge, Oregon, USA) (16712622489).jpg

From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Original file (1,243 × 741 pixels, file size: 1.38 MB, MIME type: image/jpeg)

Captions

Captions

Add a one-line explanation of what this file represents

Summary

[edit]
Description

Steatite (a.k.a. soapstone) from the Cretaceous of Oregon, USA. (5 cm across at its widest)

Metamorphic rocks result from intense alteration of any previously existing rocks by heat and/or pressure and/or chemical change. This can happen as a result of regional metamorphism (large-scale tectonic events, such as continental collision or subduction), burial metamorphism (super-deep burial), contact metamorphism (by the heat & chemicals from nearby magma or lava), hydrothermal metamorphism (by superheated groundwater), shear metamorphism (in or near a fault zone), or shock metamorphism (by an impact event). Other categories include thermal metamorphism, kinetic metamorphism, and nuclear metamorphism. Many metamorphic rocks have a foliated texture, but some are crystalline or glassy.

Soapstones are crystalline-textured, talc-rich metamorphic rocks. Essentially pure talcose soapstone is called steatite, whereas "soapstone" refers to impure varieties. “Soapstone” and “steatite” are sometimes considered synonyms. Being composed of talc (magnesium hydroxy-silicate - Mg3Si4O10(OH)2), steatite and soapstone have a soapy feel and are very soft - they are easily scratched.

The sample shown above is commercial-grade steatite, apparently derived from Elliott Creek Ridge in Oregon, USA. Steatite in that part of Oregon has a metamorphic date of 141 Ma (early Early Cretaceous). These rocks formed by the metamorphic alteration of serpentinites (which are metamorphosed peridotites).

Locality: Steatite of Southern Oregon commercial quarry, apparently located near the crest of Elliott Creek Ridge (sections 9-10-11, T41S, R3W, Squaw Lakes 7.5' USGS topographic quadrangle), far-southwestern Jackson County, southwestern Oregon, USA (apparently at about 42° 00” 57” North latitude, 123° 02’ 11” West longitude)
Date
Source Steatite (soapstone) (Early Cretaceous; quarry apparently on Elliott Creek Ridge, Oregon, USA)
Author James St. John

Licensing

[edit]
w:en:Creative Commons
attribution
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
You are free:
  • to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work
  • to remix – to adapt the work
Under the following conditions:
  • attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
This image was originally posted to Flickr by James St. John at https://flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/16712622489 (archive). It was reviewed on 30 November 2019 by FlickreviewR 2 and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

30 November 2019

File history

Click on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time.

Date/TimeThumbnailDimensionsUserComment
current17:06, 30 November 2019Thumbnail for version as of 17:06, 30 November 20191,243 × 741 (1.38 MB)Ser Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs)Transferred from Flickr via #flickr2commons

You cannot overwrite this file.

The following page uses this file:

Metadata

This file contains additional information such as Exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. The timestamp is only as accurate as the clock in the camera, and it may be completely wrong.

Retrieved from "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Steatite_(soapstone)_(Early_Cretaceous;_quarry_apparently_on_Elliott_Creek_Ridge,_Oregon,_USA)_(16712622489).jpg&oldid=531903264"