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.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, 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 aggregate, road base, and manufacturing of stone wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also forms major volcanic features on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark, dense, fine-grained matrix; commonly found in volcanic provinces and oceanic islands worldwide.
