igneous
Basalt
Mafic Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black in color, fine-grained aphanitic texture with dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black in color, fine-grained aphanitic texture with dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, magnesium- and iron-rich lava exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction as crushed aggregate for roads, railroad ballast, and in the production of rock wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also makes up major volcanic features on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark, dense, fine-grained matrix; commonly found globally in volcanic provinces, oceanic islands, and flood basalt traps.
