Characteristics Of Basalt And Granite

Basalt is volcanic or extrusive forming at the surface while granite is plutonic or intrusive forming beneath the surface.

Characteristics of basalt and granite.

It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of shell coral algal and fecal debris. Of the two basalt is darker and consists of fine grained minerals such as magnesium and iron while granite is lighter and consist of feldspar and quartz. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock which is very hard crystalline and is visibly homogeneous in texture and forms by melting of continental rocks 5 2 composition. Earth s most abundant bedrock basalt underlies more of earth s surface than any other rock type.

The temperature of lava is between 1100 to 1250 c when it gets to the surface. In granite samples initial p wave velocity is 5 km s and increases with pressure by 20. It can also be a chemical sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of calcium. Basalt forms when lava reaches the earth s surface near an active volcano.

Basalt is mafic while granite is felsic basalt is common on both earth and other solar system bodies such as the moon and mars while granite is only common on earth and rare elsewhere in the solar system. Among other differences the nature of these rocks reveals that basalt is basic in nature whereas granite is acidic in nature. Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. Grant mason from the byu department of physics and astronomy discusses samples of granite and basalt rock.

The characteristics of granite from its appearance to the stone s tough qualities make it one of the most appealing materials on the market. Basalt is rich in iron and magnesium and is mainly composed of olivine pyroxene and plagioclase. This guide can help you learn more about the natural stone that makes up your. Basalt is the most common rock on earth s surface.

Specimens are black in color and weather to dark green or brown. P wave velocity in basalt is about 3 km s at atmospheric pressure but increases by 50 when the hydrostatic pressure is increased to 120 mpa. It is generally defined as a size stone that can be cut to certain lengths widths and thicknesses.