Basalt 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.

Basalt is a volcanic rock. It is formed from a magma that is rich in iron and magnesium, and poor in silica (quartz). The magma erupts from a volcano or a fissure (a crack in the earth's surface) as lava.

Basalt (UK: / ˈ b æ s ɒ l t,-ɔː l t,-əl t /; [1] [2] US: / b ə ˈ s ɔː l t, ˈ b eɪ s ɔː l t /) [3] 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 ...

Apr 23, 2023 · Definition, composition, and characteristics of basalt: Basalt is a fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from the rapid cooling of lava at or near the Earth’s surface. It is composed mostly of dark-colored minerals like pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, and …

Basalt 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 …

Aug 17, 2023 · Basalt rock is fine-grained, dark-colored volcanic rock with essentially Mg-rich plagioclase and augite. It is basic or low in silica (42-52 wt. %) mafic (Mg- and Fe-rich) rock, with relatively low amounts of total alkalis (Na 2 O and K 2 O).

Apr 24, 2017 · Basalt, a volcanic igneous rock, occurs worldwide, but especially in India, Scotland, Greenland, Iceland, Canada and the northwestern United States. Most basalt occurs as lava flows, in narrow dykes or sills.

"Basalt is a common gray to black volcanic rock. It is usually fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava on the Earth's surface. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or gray.

Explore the strength and versatility of basalt, a volcanic rock with widespread uses in construction, industrial applications, and art. Learn about its formation, types, famous locations, and how to care for basalt in this detailed guide.

Basalt is a dark, iconic rock that forms when lava rapidly cools. Many famous geological structures, including the Giant's Causeway in the UK and the Devil’s Postpile in California, are made from basalt.