metamorphic
Greenschist
Greenschist (composed mainly of actinolite/tremolite, chlorite, and epidote)
Hardness: 3.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale green to dark grayish-green. Luster: Dull to pearly or silky. Texture: Foliated or schistose with fine-grained texture. Specific gravity: 2.8-3.2.
- Hardness
- 3
- Color
- Pale green to dark grayish-green
- Luster
- Dull to pearly or silky
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale green to dark grayish-green. Luster: Dull to pearly or silky. Texture: Foliated or schistose with fine-grained texture. Specific gravity: 2.8-3.2.
Formation & geological history
Forms through low-grade regional metamorphism of basaltic or mafic igneous rocks under low temperature and moderate pressure (greenschist facies conditions).
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, crushed stone for aggregate, landscaping, and occasionally as dimension stone for architectural cladding.
Geological facts
Greenschist derives its signature green color from green minerals such as chlorite, epidote, and actinolite. The metamorphic conditions that form greenschist typically occur along convergent plate boundaries.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctly greenish hue, schistose texture, and tendency to split along planar surfaces. Widely found in metamorphic terranes worldwide, such as the Appalachian Mountains and the Alps.
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