Basalt is a very common volcanic rock that is found on this planet, and it also exists on Mars, the Moon, and other planets that have a history of volcanic activity. It can contain large crystals making it beautiful in some cases and basalt is most often black or gray in color when it is unweathered. Most basalt is formed by decompression melting of the mantle of our planet. Large portions of the ocean crust that is part of the tectonic plates are composed of basalt.
The term basalt itself can also be applied to shallow intrusive rocks that have a very similar composition as basalt, and these rocks are also called diabase. Basalt has many practical applications today and it is used in construction as groundwork, cobblestones, and statues. It also makes for an excellent thermal insulator.
The basic make-up of basalt such as shape, texture, and structure is a function of how and where it was discharged from a volcano. Basalt that is erupted into the sea tends to be an explosive cinder eruption while basalt on land tends to be a lava flow just as the classic pictures you've seen of lava flows in Hawaii. Basalt that has erupted in open air will form into one of three types of volcanic deposit. Ash, cinder, or scoria is the result of this.
When the lava begins to cool after a period of time, fractures will form in it. If a lava flow is cooled rapidly, contraction forces build up force. A flow may be able to shrink in a vertical direction without fracturing it cannot shrink in a horizontal direction unless cracks form.
Basalt is one of the most common volcanic rocks on the planet and if you're living close a volcano chances are you step on some almost every day.
The term basalt itself can also be applied to shallow intrusive rocks that have a very similar composition as basalt, and these rocks are also called diabase. Basalt has many practical applications today and it is used in construction as groundwork, cobblestones, and statues. It also makes for an excellent thermal insulator.
The basic make-up of basalt such as shape, texture, and structure is a function of how and where it was discharged from a volcano. Basalt that is erupted into the sea tends to be an explosive cinder eruption while basalt on land tends to be a lava flow just as the classic pictures you've seen of lava flows in Hawaii. Basalt that has erupted in open air will form into one of three types of volcanic deposit. Ash, cinder, or scoria is the result of this.
When the lava begins to cool after a period of time, fractures will form in it. If a lava flow is cooled rapidly, contraction forces build up force. A flow may be able to shrink in a vertical direction without fracturing it cannot shrink in a horizontal direction unless cracks form.
Basalt is one of the most common volcanic rocks on the planet and if you're living close a volcano chances are you step on some almost every day.
