igneous
Basalt
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic texture with fine-grained minerals, and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic texture with fine-grained minerals, and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as crushed stone for road bases, concrete aggregate, and in the production of stone wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crustal portions underlying the ocean basins and also forms massive geological formations like the Columbia River Flood Basalts.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its dark, fine-grained appearance and heavy weight, commonly found in volcanic regions and oceanic crusts worldwide.
