Diabase (/ ˈ d aɪ. ə ˌ b eɪ s /), also called dolerite (/ ˈ d ɒ l. ə ˌ r aɪ t /) or microgabbro, [1] is a mafic, holocrystalline, subvolcanic rock equivalent to volcanic basalt or plutonic gabbro.

In the United States and Canada, the name "diabase" is used for a dark gray to black, fine-grained, intrusive igneous rock that has a composition similar to basalt and gabbro. The difference between basalt, diabase, and gabbro is in their grain size - …

Aug 26, 2023 · Diabase, also known as dolerite, is a type of igneous rock that holds significance in the field of geology due to its unique characteristics and formation process. It is an intrusive rock, which means it forms from molten magma that …

diabase, fine- to medium-grained, dark gray to black intrusive igneous rock. It is extremely hard and tough and is commonly quarried for crushed stone, under the name of trap. Although not popular, it makes an excellent monumental stone and is one of the dark-coloured rocks commercially known as black granite .

Sep 4, 2023 · Diabase, dolerite, or microgabbro is a medium-grained, dark-colored, hypabyssal, or subvolcanic rock with a composition similar to plutonic gabbro or volcanic basalt. It commonly occurs in dikes, sills, and sometimes in plugs, sheeted dikes, laccoliths, or lopoliths.

In the southeastern part of the state, there are crystalline (igneous and metamorphic) rocks. They are bordered to the northwest by a 3- to 20-mile-wide band of mostly red sedimentary rocks having multiple intrusions of the igneous rock diabase. This band arcs from Adams County to …

May 8, 2018 · dolerite (diabase, microgabbro) A dark-coloured, medium-grained igneous rock which contains plagioclase feldspar of labradorite composition and pyroxene of augite or titanaugite composition as essential minerals, and magnetite, titano-magnetite, or ilmenite as accessory minerals.

Apr 11, 2024 · Dolerite, diabase, or formally microgabbro, is a dark-colored, medium-grained subvolcanic rock equivalent to basalt or gabbro in composition. Subvolcanic or hypabyssal rock is a plutonic rock that forms at shallower depths less than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Earth’s surface.

Diabase (or dolerite) is a medium-grained igneous rock with basaltic composition. The term is also synonym of microgabbro. The name comes from the Greek diabasis , meaning ‘crossing over’, which is appropriate since this rock is texturally halfway between a gabbro and a basalt.

What Is Diabase? Diabase is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock that consists mostly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene. It forms from the solidification of magma in the Earth’s crust and is thus an intrusive rock. Diabase is also known as dolerite. What Colors Can Diabase Be? Diabase can be black, gray, or dark green.