igneous
Rhyolite
Extrusive felsic igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or reddish with aphanitic or porphyritic texture, and dull to vitreous luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or reddish with aphanitic or porphyritic texture, and dull to vitreous luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava extruded from volcanoes, often during explosive eruptions.
Uses & applications
Used in aggregate for construction, landscaping, and occasionally as a decorative building stone.
Geological facts
Rhyolite is the extrusive volcanic equivalent of granite, sharing an identical chemical and mineral composition.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its fine-grained matrix, light color, and occasional quartz or feldspar phenocrysts. Found globally in volcanic regions.
