igneous
Basalt
Basalt
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark gray to black, fine-grained, hard, dense. Often has small vesicles (holes) from gas bubbles during formation.
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Physical properties
Dark gray to black, fine-grained, hard, dense. Often has small vesicles (holes) from gas bubbles during formation.
Formation & geological history
Forms from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of a terrestrial planet or moon.
Uses & applications
Used in construction (crushed rock, asphalt), cobblestones, statues, and sometimes as heating stones in massage.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust and makes up most of the ocean floor. It is also found abundantly on the Moon, Mars, and Venus.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark color, fine-grained texture, and high density. Often found in volcanic regions or riverbeds as rounded stones.
