Specific Heat Capacity of Common Rocks
Rocks have relatively high specific heat capacities compared to many other substances, which means they can absorb and store a significant amount of heat energy without experiencing a large temperature change.
The following table provides a curated list of specific heat capacity values for common rocks, taken at standard room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atmospheric (atm) pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
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| Andesite | 330 - 2450 |
| Anthracite | 1260 |
| Basalt | 627 - 950 |
| Chalk | 921 |
| Clay (soft shale) | 837 |
| Coal | 1089 - 1548 |
| Diabase | 698 - 753 |
| Diorite | 669 - 808 |
| Dolomite | 728 - 921 |
| Gabbro | 719 - 782 |
| Gneiss | 736 - 816 |
| Granite | 775 - 837 |
| Gypsum | 1025 - 1088 |
| Lignite | 888 - 920 |
| Limestone (hard) | 907 - 921 |
| Limestone (soft) | 630 - 907 |
| Marble | 794 - 879 |
| Quartzite | 698 - 1105 |
| Rock salt | 849 - 900 |
| Sandstone (hard) | 928 - 963 |
| Sandstone (medium) | 745 |
| Sandstone (soft) | 728 |
| Schist | 774 |
| Slate | 711 |
| Syenite | 753 |
The specific heat capacity of rocks can vary depending on factors such as mineral composition, porosity, and moisture content.
Related Tables
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009.