igneous
Basalt
Extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black in color, with a-aphanitic (fine-grained) texture and dull luster.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Basalt in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black in color, with a-aphanitic (fine-grained) texture and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in iron and magnesium exposed at or very near the surface of a planet or moon.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for crushed stone in road base, concrete aggregate, and manufacturing of rock wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also makes up most of the volcanic islands worldwide.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark, fine-grained appearance, often vesicular due to trapped gas bubbles, and found in volcanic regions globally.
