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 dull to fine-grained aphanitic texture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black in color, with a dull to fine-grained aphanitic texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity basaltic lava 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 in the production of basalt fiber.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crustal portions underlying the ocean basins and forms much of the lunar maria.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its fine-grained dark appearance and dense, heavy feel; commonly found in volcanic regions worldwide.
