igneous
Basalt Pebble
Extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull to sub-metallic luster.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Basalt Pebble in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull to sub-metallic luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, mafic lava flows at the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed aggregate, railroad ballast, and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust underlying the ocean basins and forming much of the volcanic islands.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its dark, dense appearance and fine-grained matrix, commonly found in riverbeds and beaches from water tumbling.
