Khondalite

Khondalite is a foliated metamorphic rock. It is also called Bezwada Gneiss and Kailasa Gneiss. It was named after the Khond tribe of Odisha, as well-formed examples of the rock was found in their inhabited hills.

Distribution

It is found in the Eastern Ghats between Vijayawada and Cuttack in India. But, the term Khondalite is also used to describe other rocks of similar composition found elsewhere.

Composition

It is composed of quartz, manganese, garnet and rhodonite schist.

It may also contain sillimanite and graphite. Feldspar may occur in some cases.

Formation

These are considered to be metasedimentary rocks. According to Lewis Leigh Fermor, these rocks and the related charnockite were formed when the Eastern Ghat belt was faulted and buried. It was uplifted later, bringing these metamorphic rocks to the surface.

Use

These weather easily but still have been used in buildings and temples like the Konark Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple.

See also

References