igneous
Basalt with vesicles
Vesicular Basalt
Hardness: 6; Color: Dark grey to reddish-brown (weathered); Luster: Dull; Crystal structure: Aphanitic (fine-grained) with visible pores (vesicles); Specific gravity: 2.8-3.0.
- Hardness
- 6
- Color
- Dark grey to reddish-brown (weathered)
- Luster
- Dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6; Color: Dark grey to reddish-brown (weathered); Luster: Dull; Crystal structure: Aphanitic (fine-grained) with visible pores (vesicles); Specific gravity: 2.8-3.0.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich lava at the surface. Vesicles formed by trapped gas bubbles during solidification. Common in volcanic regions and oceanic crust.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as road base, in concrete aggregate, and sometimes in landscaping or as a medium for aquarium filtration.
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 found on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark color, heavy weight for its size, and the presence of small holes (vesicles). Commonly found on beaches near volcanic coastlines or in glacial till.
