igneous
Basalt Pebble
Extrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull luster, specific gravity around 2.8 - 3.0
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull luster, specific gravity around 2.8 - 3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in iron and magnesium exposed at or very near the surface of a planet or moon
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed aggregate, railroad ballast, and in the production of stone wool insulation
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust underlying the world's ocean basins, and it is also commonly found on the Moon and Mars
Field identification & locations
Found widely along riverbeds and beaches where water action has smoothed and rounded the fragments; identified by its heavy feel, dark color, and fine-grained texture
