igneous
Basalt Pebble
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark black to gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, sub-conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark black to gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, sub-conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction aggregates, road base materials, and occasionally for decorative landscaping.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust beneath the oceans and also forms massive volcanic features like the Giant's Causeway.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark color, heavy weight, and fine-grained matrix; commonly found in riverbeds and beaches worldwide.
