igneous
Basalt
Extrusive Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark grey to black color, dull luster, aphanitic crystal structure, and highly vesicular texture due to trapped gas bubbles.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark grey to black color, dull luster, aphanitic crystal structure, and highly vesicular texture due to trapped gas bubbles.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, magnesium- and iron-rich lava flows at the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction aggregates, road base, asphalt production, and occasionally as dimension stone.
Geological facts
Vesicular basalt forms when expanding gas bubbles become trapped in solidifying lava, creating a sponge-like appearance called vesicular texture.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark color, fine-grained matrix, and numerous small cavities or holes on weathered surfaces. Found extensively in volcanic regions and oceanic crusts worldwide.
