igneous
Basalt Pebble
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in iron and magnesium exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as crushed aggregate, railroad ballast, and for producing dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crustal portions underlying the ocean basins and forms massive geological features like the Columbia River Plateaus.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark, dense, fine-grained appearance, often found along riverbeds, beaches, and volcanic regions.
