igneous
Basalt
Mafic extrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black, dull luster, microcrystalline to aphanitic texture.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically dark gray to black, dull luster, microcrystalline to aphanitic texture.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity, magnesium- and iron-rich lava exposed at or very near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction as crushed aggregate, railroad ballast, and in the production of stone wool insulation.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock type in the Earth's oceanic crust and also forms extensive continental flood basalts.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its dark, fine-grained appearance; found abundantly in volcanic regions worldwide.
