Basalt - Wikipedia
WebBasalt (UK: / ˈ b æ s ɔː l t,-əl t /; US: / b ə ˈ s ɔː l t, ˈ b eɪ s ɔː l t /) is an aphanitic (fine-grained) extrusive igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron (mafic lava) exposed at or very near the surface of a rocky planet or moon. More than 90% of all volcanic rock on Earth ...
Basalt: Igneous Rock - Pictures, Definition, Uses & More - Geology.com
WebBasalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals. It most commonly forms as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow, but can also form in small intrusive bodies, such as an igneous dike or a thin sill. It has a composition similar to gabbro.
Basalt | Properties, Formation, Composition, Uses - Geology Science
WebApr 23, 2023 · Basalt is one of the most common rock types on Earth, and it can be found in various locations around the world, both on land and under the ocean floor. Basalt is known for its dark color, typically ranging from black to dark gray, and its fine-grained texture.
Basalt | Definition, Properties, & Facts | Britannica
WebApr 12, 2024 · Basalt, extrusive igneous (volcanic) rock that is low in silica content, dark in color, and comparatively rich in iron and magnesium. Basalts may be broadly classified on a chemical and petrographic basis into two main groups: the tholeiitic and the alkali basalts.
What Is Basalt? - ThoughtCo
WebFeb 2, 2019 · Basalt is the dark, heavy volcanic rock that makes up most of the world's oceanic crust. Some of it erupts on land, too, but to a first approximation, basalt is an oceanic rock. Compared to the familiar granite of the continents, basalt ("ba-SALT") is darker, denser and finer grained.
Basalt - Igneous rocks - Sandatlas
WebBasalt is a major rock type that occurs in virtually every tectonic setting. Basalt is clearly the most common volcanic rock on Earth and basaltic rocks (including gabbro, diabase and their metamorphosed equivalents) are the most common rocks in the crust 2. Basalt is also common on the Moon and other rocky planets of the Solar System.
Basalt: Identification, Pictures & Info for Rockhounds
WebBasalt is an extrusive igneous rock composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar and large amounts of mafic minerals like pyroxene. It has an aphanitic texture, meaning its interlocking crystals cannot be seen by the naked eye. It is usually dark gray, black, or dark greenish, and is often vesicular or porphyritic.
Basalt | Properties, Formation, Composition, Uses - GEOLOGY HUB
WebBasalt is a crucial component of the Earth’s continental crust and oceanic crust, formed through the rapid cooling and solidification of magma at Earth’s surface. Its fine-grained texture and composition make it an essential rock type for understanding the Earth’s geological processes and history.
A Guide to Basalt: A Common, Fine-grained, Dark-Colored …
WebAug 17, 2023 · Basalt is a hard, fine-grained, dark-colored volcanic or extrusive rock. It has primarily calcium-rich plagioclase and augite. Also, it may have minor amounts of other minerals like quartz, olivine, foids, alkali feldspar, biotite, and amphibole. This rock is undoubtedly popular, only rivaled by granite.
Basalt: characteristics, formation, uses - ZME Science
WebJan 4, 2024 · 1 What is Basalt? 2 The Formation and Composition of Basalt. 3 Types of Basalt. 4 Characteristics of Basalt. 5 Distribution of Basalt. 6 How to Identify Basalt. 7 Uses of Basalt. 8...
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