igneous
Basalt
Extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull luster, and high specific gravity.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, dull luster, and high specific gravity.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of a planet or moon.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for road aggregate, concrete production, and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crustal portions underlying the world's ocean basins.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its dark, fine-grained appearance, often vesicular with gas cavities, found globally in volcanic provinces.
