igneous
Rhyolite
Extrusive felsic igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 6 on Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or pale green with an aphanitic or porphyritic texture and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6 on Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or pale green with an aphanitic or porphyritic texture and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava at or near the Earth's surface.
Uses & applications
Used locally as crushed stone, in road construction, and occasionally as decorative landscaping material.
Geological facts
Rhyolite is the extrusive equivalent of granite and often exhibits flow bands formed by moving lava.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its fine-grained felsic matrix, sometimes containing quartz or feldspar phenocrysts; found globally in volcanic regions.
