igneous
Rhyolite
Extrusive Felsic Igneous Rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or reddish in color with an aphanitic or porphyritic texture and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, gray, or reddish in color with an aphanitic or porphyritic texture and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava on or near the Earth's surface during volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Used locally as crushed stone for road construction and occasionally in landscaping or decorative masonry.
Geological facts
Rhyolite is the extrusive volcanic equivalent of granite, sharing nearly identical chemical and mineral compositions.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its fine-grained groundmass often containing phenocrysts of quartz and feldspar; commonly found in volcanic regions worldwide.
