igneous
Basalt
Extrusive mafic igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic to porphyritic texture, dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, aphanitic to porphyritic 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 for road aggregate, concrete production, and dimension stone.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust underlying the world's ocean basins.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its dark, fine-grained groundmass and heavy weight. Found abundantly in volcanic regions worldwide.
