igneous
Basalt Pebble
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black in color, with a fine-grained aphanitic texture and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black in color, with a fine-grained aphanitic texture and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction aggregate, railroad ballast, road base, and occasionally for decorative landscaping or polished stones.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crustal portions underlying the ocean basins and also forms major volcanic features on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark, dense, fine-grained appearance, often found in stream beds as water-worn pebbles or near volcanic regions worldwide.
