igneous
Basalt Pebble
Aphanitic extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness 6-7, dark gray to black color, dull luster, microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline structure, specific gravity 2.8-3.0.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness 6-7, dark gray to black color, dull luster, microcrystalline to cryptocrystalline structure, specific gravity 2.8-3.0.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava flows exposed at or near the surface.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, road aggregate, railroad ballast, and decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also forms major volcanic features on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark, fine-grained matrix; commonly found on beaches, riverbeds, and volcanic regions.
