igneous
Basalt
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic texture with fine-grained crystals, dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic texture with fine-grained crystals, dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, magnesium- and iron-rich lava flows at Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, crushed stone for road bases, railroad ballast, and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in Earth's crust underlying the world's ocean basins.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark, dense, fine-grained appearance; commonly found globally in volcanic regions and oceanic crusts.
