igneous
Vesicular basalt (likely scoria)
Vesicular basalt; chiefly plagioclase, pyroxene, and iron-rich minerals
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDark gray-brown, rough and porous with gas cavities; typically Mohs 5–6, dull to slightly glassy, with fine-grained crystals too small to see. The image alone cannot confirm its mineral composition or distinguish basalt from other vesicular volcanic rocks.
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Physical properties
Dark gray-brown, rough and porous with gas cavities; typically Mohs 5–6, dull to slightly glassy, with fine-grained crystals too small to see. The image alone cannot confirm its mineral composition or distinguish basalt from other vesicular volcanic rocks.
Formation & geological history
Forms when gas-rich lava cools quickly, trapping bubbles; volcanic rocks of this kind occur from recent eruptions to ancient geological settings.
Uses & applications
Used as lightweight aggregate, drainage stone, landscaping material, and sometimes as a decorative or educational specimen.
Geological facts
The holes are vesicles left by escaping gas, not fossils; abundant vesicles make the rock lighter than many dense volcanic rocks.
Field identification & locations
Look for a hard, fine-grained volcanic matrix with irregular gas cavities; common around volcanic fields and lava flows. A photo cannot establish locality or precise rock type.
