What is a basaltic composition?
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Basalts are common aphanitic igneous extrusive (volcanic) rocks. Basalts are composed of minute grains of plagioclase feldspar (generally labradorite), pyroxene, olivine, biotite, hornblende and <20% quartz.
What is the meaning of basaltic?
: a dark gray to black dense to fine-grained igneous rock that consists of basic plagioclase, augite, and usually magnetite.
What is basalt composition and texture?
Basalt is rich in iron and magnesium and is mainly composed of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. Most specimens are compact, fine-grained, and glassy. They can also be porphyritic, with phenocrysts of olivine, augite, or plagioclase. Holes left by gas bubbles can give basalt a coarsely porous texture.
What is basalt composition and density?
Granite is a felsic rock (which means it has a high feldspar and silica content), composed of quartz, potassium-rich feldspar, and mica. Mafic rocks contain denser minerals and therefore, oceanic crust is denser than continental crust (the average density of basalt is 3.0 g/cm3 and granite is 2.7 g/cm3).
What are characteristics of basalt?
basalt, extrusive igneous (volcanic) rock that is low in silica content, dark in colour, and comparatively rich in iron and magnesium. Some basalts are quite glassy (tachylytes), and many are very fine-grained and compact.
What is basalt mostly used for?
Basalt is mainly used for structural building materials such as bricks, tiles, foundations and sculptures, as well as within stonewalls for thermal purposes and rail tracks. It can also be seen when looking at the moon as darker area which were formed from ancient lava flows.
What gems are found in basalt?
Basalt is an extrusive rock, finely grained due to its rapid cooling. It largely consists of tiny feldspar and pyroxene crystals (like diopside and enstatite). Some basalts contain gemstones like corundum, zircon and garnets. Another volcanic rock is called kimberlite.
What does basaltic mean?
What does basaltic magma mean? B asaltic lava, or mafic lava, is molten rock enriched in iron and magnesium and depleted in silica. Basaltic magmas are formed by exceeding the melting point of the mantle either by adding heat, changing its composition, or decreasing its pressure.
What are the differences between basaltic and andesitic lava?
Both lavas are formed at different plate boundaries which is why they have different silica contents: the basaltic lava forms from the hot mantle material at constructive plate boundaries and hotspots whereas the andesitic lava forms at destructive plate boundaries from melting crust. Answered by Anna D.
What is the composition of basalt?
Tomkeieff,S. I. (1983). Dictionary of Petrology. John Wiley&Sons.
What is chemical composition of basalt?
Chemistry of Basalt Basalts are composed primarily of magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium oxide (CaO). They are very low in silicon (SiO 2 ), usually less than 50 percent. They also contain some iron…
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