igneous
Vesicular Basalt
Vesicular Basalt (Mafic Extrusive)
Hardness: 6 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to black; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Texture: Vesicular (pitted with gas bubbles); Specific Gravity: 2.8–3.0
- Hardness
- 6 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Dark grey to black
- Luster
- Dull/Earthy
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark grey to black; Luster: Dull/Earthy; Texture: Vesicular (pitted with gas bubbles); Specific Gravity: 2.8–3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed from the rapid cooling of magnesium-rich and iron-rich lava at the surface. The holes (vesicles) are created by gas bubbles trapped in the cooling magma as they expand during eruption.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, construction (as road base or aggregate), porous filtration systems, and BBQ grill stones.
Geological facts
Basalt is the most common rock in Earth's crust and also makes up most of the surface of the Moon and Mars.
Field identification & locations
Look for the characteristic 'Swiss cheese' appearance and a heavy, dark, fine-grained matrix. Commonly found in volcanic regions like Hawaii, Iceland, and the Pacific Northwest.
