igneous
Rhyolite
Extrusive igneous rock primarily composed of quartz and alkali feldspar
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, reddish, or gray with an aphanitic to porphyritic texture and dull luster.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, reddish, or gray with an aphanitic to porphyritic texture and dull luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava at the Earth's surface, commonly associated with volcanic eruptions.
Uses & applications
Used in aggregate construction, crushed stone, and occasionally as ornamental lapidary material.
Geological facts
Rhyolite is the extrusive equivalent of granite and often displays flow bands formed during lava movement.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its fine-grained groundmass, felsic composition, and frequent phenocrysts of quartz or feldspar; found globally in volcanic regions.
