igneous
Rhyolite
Extrusive felsic igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, reddish, or gray with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. Features quartz and alkali feldspar phenocrysts.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, reddish, or gray with aphanitic to porphyritic texture. Features quartz and alkali feldspar phenocrysts.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava on or near the Earth's surface, often associated with explosive volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Used in aggregate for construction, road building, and occasionally as decorative stone or in landscaping.
Geological facts
Rhyolite is the extrusive equivalent of granite and frequently displays flow banding formed by viscous lava moving before solidification.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its fine-grained groundmass containing visible quartz or feldspar crystals, commonly found in volcanic regions worldwide.
