igneous
Basalt
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic to porphyritic texture, and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic to porphyritic texture, 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
Used heavily in construction for crushed stone, aggregate in concrete, road base, and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also forms extensive volcanic provinces like the Columbia River Plateaus.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its dense, dark, fine-grained matrix and commonly found in volcanic regions worldwide.
