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What makes basalt not a minerals?

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Anonymous

7y ago
Updated: 8/21/2019

Basalt consists of multiple minerals. Pyroxene, calcium-rich plagioclase, and sometimes olivine are key minerals in basalt. Basalt that cools rapidly may form glass, which contains no minerals because it lacks a crystal structure.

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7y ago

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Related Questions

Is basalt an element a mineral or a rock?

Basalt is a rock composed of minerals which are composed of elements.


What special property do the minerals within basalt have?

Many basalt minerals have a high melting point, making them resistant to high temperatures. This property makes basalt a good choice for applications where heat resistance is required, such as in the construction of buildings or roads.


Does basalt contain minerals?

Yes, basalt contains several minerals, primarily plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine. These minerals form during the cooling and solidification of lava, which is the defining characteristic of basalt as an igneous rock. Additionally, basalt may contain smaller amounts of other minerals such as magnetite and ilmenite, contributing to its overall composition.


What two minerals are basalt volcanic rock in rich in?

Iron and magnesium are the two common minerals in basalt. The rock is poor in silica though.


Minerals found in Germany?

basalt


Which rock contains high nuclear minerals?

basalt


Why would basalt and gabbro generally have higher chemical weathering rates than rhyolite and granite?

Basalt and gabbro have higher chemical weathering rates than rhyolite and granite because they contain more ferromagnesian minerals like olivine and pyroxene that are more susceptible to chemical weathering compared to the quartz-rich minerals in rhyolite and granite. This makes basalt and gabbro more prone to breakdown and alteration when exposed to weathering agents like water and acids.


What is the main mineral type that the oceanic plates are made of?

mostly made of basalt.


What happens to basalt in water?

When basalt comes into contact with water, chemical weathering occurs due to the presence of water and ions like H+ and OH- that can react with the minerals in basalt. Over time, this weathering can lead to the breakdown of basaltic minerals and the formation of secondary minerals like clays and oxides.


State one observable characteristic other than crystal size that makes granite different from basalt?

Granite is typically light in color due to its high silica content and contains visible grains of minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. In contrast, basalt is typically dark in color, fine-grained, and contains minerals like pyroxene and olivine.


Is Basalt sialic?

No, basalt is not sialic. Basalt is a mafic rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava, which is rich in minerals like magnesium and iron. Sial, on the other hand, refers to the continental crust, which is composed of lighter silicate minerals like quartz and feldspar.


What is the chemical composition of a basalt?

The mineralogy of basalt is characterized by a preponderance of calcic plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene. Olivine can also be a significant constituent.