igneous
Basalt with Vesicles
Vesicular Basalt (comprising Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxene, and Olivine)
Hardness: 6.0 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to black or brownish-red; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Aphanitic (fine-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.8–3.0; Contains vesicles (gas bubbles).
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Dark grey to black or brownish-red
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6.0 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to black or brownish-red; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal structure: Aphanitic (fine-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.8–3.0; Contains vesicles (gas bubbles).
Formation & geological history
Formed through the rapid cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich lava at the surface of a terrestrial planet or moon. The gas bubbles (vesicles) are trapped as the lava solidifies. Common in volcanic fields globally.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, for road base, concrete aggregate, and railroad ballast. Highly vesicular varieties (scoria) are used in landscaping and as thermal insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust and makes up most of the ocean floor. It is also the primary rock type on the Moon's maria and surface of Mars.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its dark color, heavy weight (density), and the presence of small circular pits (holes) where gas was trapped. Frequently found in volcanic regions like Hawaii, Iceland, or the Pacific NW.
