Diabase

Hardness of 6-7 on Mohs scale, dark gray to black color, submetallic to dull luster, and an ophitic crystal texture composed of interlocking plagioclase and pyroxene.

Formed from the cooling of mafic magma in shallow intrusions like sills and dikes, originating during various geological eras.

Widely used in construction, crushed stone for road aggregates, and occasionally as dimension stone or monuments.

Also known as dolerite, it is chemically equivalent to gabbro and basalt but possesses a medium-grained diabasic texture.

Identify in the field by its dark color and distinctive lath-like plagioclase crystals visible within a finer-grained matrix. Commonly found globally in ancient volcanic provinces and large igneous intrusions.