igneous
Basalt Pebble
Aphanitic Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark black to gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and vitreous to dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark black to gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and vitreous to 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
Widely used in construction aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative landscaping stones.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust underlying the world's ocean basins and forms much of the lunar maria.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its heavy weight, dark color, and dense fine-grained matrix, commonly found in riverbeds and coastal beaches as smooth water-worn pebbles.
