# Basalt

Basalt is a dark, volcanic rock that is formed when lava cools quickly. It can be found in many places!

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Basalt](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424316/objects/5396.jpg)

## Appearance

The Basalt is typically a dense, dark-colored rock, appearing black, dark grey, or brownish-black. It often has a fine-grained texture, sometimes with tiny holes from trapped gas bubbles, giving it a slightly rough or pitted look.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- It forms most of the Earth's ocean floor, making it our planet's most common rock!
- Scientists can melt basalt to spin it into rock wool, used for insulation in buildings!
- When basalt cools slowly, it can form amazing giant hexagonal columns, like huge natural pillars!
- You can find basalt not just on Earth, but also on the Moon and even Mars!

## Special abilities

- **Solid Foundation:** Basalt has a fine-grained, interlocking structure that makes it incredibly strong. This helps it form durable mountains and ocean floors.
- **Heat Keeper:** Basalt can absorb and retain heat for a long time. This makes it useful for warm massage stones or even cooking.
- **Bubble Trapper:** Basalt often traps gas bubbles as it cools, creating tiny holes. This makes it lighter and more absorbent, useful in gardens.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** Dark Grey, Black, Brownish-Black
- **Hardness:** 5
- **Luster:** Dull
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.7

## Traits

- [Igneous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/igneous): Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Basalt?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Basalt be?

Dark Grey, Black, Brownish-Black

### How hard is Basalt?

5

### What kind of luster does Basalt have?

Dull

### What is Basalt's specific gravity?

2.7

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Basalt: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/basalt)