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Basalt is fine grained because it is rapidly cooled from molten material. Rapid cooling inhibits the growth of large mineral crystals, as the time that they are allowed to form and grow is lessened.
Basalt grains are small because of fast cooling.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe size of mineral grains (crystals) within an igneous rock depends on how fast or slow it cools off. Granite forms from magma which cools off very slowly deep inside the crust of the earth, so as a result it has large crystals (coarse grained). The larger coarse grains result from the slower cooling time allowing molecules to join together forming larger crystals. Basalt forms from lava on the earths surface, so it cools off very rapidly. The rapid cooling does not allow enough time for coarse grained crystals to form within the rock. So as a result basalt tends to have a finer texture, or smaller grain size.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoBecause its a volcanic rock when it erupts it cools quickly so the crystals dont have long to form
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoVolcanic rocks cool rather quickly, which doesn't allow large crystals to form.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThis is because, Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock and is formed due to the rapid rate of cooling and crystallization of lava on exposure to the earths surface and atmospheric conditions.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoNo. Basalt is fine grained and mafic.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agocoarse because it is igneous
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How is basalt different from gabbro?
Basalt is an Extrusive Igneous Rock, it is a fine grained textured rock, While Gabbro is an Intrusive Igneous Rock and it has a Coarse grain texture.
What is the difference between rhyolite and granite?
The difference is the size of grains. Rhyolite is the felsic igneous rock with fine-grained size. Whereas, granite is the equivalent in composition but with coarse-grained size.
Why is the texture of rhyolite different from the texture of granite?
Granite is an intrusive rock while rhyolite is an extrusive rock.** Intrusive rocks are rocks that are formed BELOW the earth's surface.Extrusive rocks are rocks that are formed ON the earth's surface.
How are basalt and granite different in their Orgin texture and mineral composition and how are they similar?
Both rocks are igneous rock but basalt is an aphanitic igneous rock while granite is a common type of felsic intrusive igneous rock.
What is the main difference between gabbro and basalt?
is plutonic (meaning it is formed slowly deep within the earth) while basaltis volcanic (meaning it has been transported to or near the surface)same composition, gabbro would be more likely to exhibit crystalline growth while basalt would be more fine grained to aphanitic
How is basalt different from gabbro?
Basalt is an Extrusive Igneous Rock, it is a fine grained textured rock, While Gabbro is an Intrusive Igneous Rock and it has a Coarse grain texture.
What is the difference between rhyolite and granite?
The difference is the size of grains. Rhyolite is the felsic igneous rock with fine-grained size. Whereas, granite is the equivalent in composition but with coarse-grained size.
What is the comparison between basalt and granite in terms of their origin and texture?
Basalt is a fine grained VOLCANIC igneous rock of mafic composition typically made up of the minerals olivine, clino-pyroxene and calcium rich plagioclase. It is the product of undifferentiated magma at either constructive or destructive plate margins. Granite is a coarse grained PLUTONIC igneous rock of felsic composition typically made up of the minerals quartz, orthoclase, sodium rich plagioclase and either biotite or muscovite mica. It is the product of a highly differentiated, partial melting in which the felsic components have become a segregated fraction separate from the main subducting plate within a destructive plate margin. The two rocks are very different in colour; basalt is grey-brown whilst granite is pink or pale grey. They are however, both igneous rocks & may be used for construction. Granite is frequently used as the building blocks for houses, basalt is more commonly used for kerb stones.
Why is the texture of rhyolite different from the texture of granite?
Granite is an intrusive rock while rhyolite is an extrusive rock.** Intrusive rocks are rocks that are formed BELOW the earth's surface.Extrusive rocks are rocks that are formed ON the earth's surface.
How are basalt and granite different in their Orgin texture and mineral composition and how are they similar?
Both rocks are igneous rock but basalt is an aphanitic igneous rock while granite is a common type of felsic intrusive igneous rock.
How does a granite and a gabbro differ?
Granite is a felsic intrusive igneous rock, its light in colour due to the predominance of acidic magma. while Gabbro is a mafic intrusive igneous rock, its dark in colour as a result of high ferromagnetic composition. They are both coarse grained but only differs basically in chemical composition of the magma.
Describe two major differences between the appearance of granite and basalt?
basalt is darker and consists of fine-grained minerals such as magnesium and iron while granite is lighter and consist of feldspar and quartz.
What is the difference between basalt and granite?
Granite is lighter in color than basalt. The color of the rocks is dependent on the mineral composition of the rock. Basalt is basic and contains a substantial amount of olivine whereas granite is acidic and is rich in quartz.Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock with small mineral crystals, formed when magma cools and solidifies rapidly; this is usually on the surface of Earth's crust, especially at incidents of seafloor spreading on the ocean floor as contact with seawater cools the magma rapidly.Granite is the foundation of the continental crust. Basalt is the foundation of oceanic crust.Granite is an intrusive igneous rock made from visible mineral crystals, a result of cooling over a longer period of time under the surface of the Earth.Another difference between basalt and granite include their joints. Basalt splits along columnar planes while granite splits along horizontal planes. This difference is due to the difference in their cooling process.granite is a sedimentary rock and basalt is a metamorphic rock
What composition is earths crust?
oceanic crust is made of basalt while continental crust is made of silica rich rocks like granite.
How does a Granite rock and a Gabbro rock differ from each other?
The counterpart of Granite is Rhyolite,the counterpart of Gabbro is Basalt. Gabbro is mafic(Dark coloured) ,Granite is felsic (light coloured) Granite forms from magma of Granitic composition while Gabbro forms from magma of Basaltic composition.
How will the size of crystals in granite be different to the size of crystals in basalt?
because they take longer to cool from the magma it is formed from
What is the main difference between gabbro and basalt?
is plutonic (meaning it is formed slowly deep within the earth) while basaltis volcanic (meaning it has been transported to or near the surface)same composition, gabbro would be more likely to exhibit crystalline growth while basalt would be more fine grained to aphanitic
