igneous
Basalt Pebble
Aphanitic mafic extrusive rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, dull luster, microcrystalline structure, high specific gravity.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, dull luster, microcrystalline structure, high specific gravity.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, iron- and magnesium-rich lava flows at the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used in construction aggregates, road base, asphalt production, and 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
Identified by its fine-grained dark matrix, often rounded by water action in streams, beaches, or glacial environments.
