igneous
Basalt
Extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark black or gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and vitreous to dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, dark black or gray color, fine-grained aphanitic texture, and vitreous to dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in iron and magnesium exposed at or near the surface of a planet or moon.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as crushed aggregate, railroad ballast, and dimension stone, as well as in manufacturing rock wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's crust underlying the world's ocean basins and also forms massive lava flows on the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark, heavy, fine-grained appearance; commonly found in volcanic regions and oceanic crust worldwide.
