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Plagioclase feldspars which are a component of basalt has a hardness of around 7 on the Mohs Scale.

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Is marble harder than basalt?

No, basalt is generally harder than marble. Basalt is a mafic extrusive rock that has a higher hardness and durability compared to marble, which is a metamorphic rock.


Which is harder basalt or granite?

Both basalt and granite are types of rock, and a rock is composed of multiple minerals - except for some rocks composed of essentially one mineral like limestone (calcite) or quartzite (quartz). Minerals are crystalline compounds with known characteristics such as hardness, specific gravity, etc Therefore the hardness of the rock depends on the exact location on the rock you are testing the hardness, as it will vary from mineral to mineral. Some minerals even have differential hardness. Granite is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually some ferromagnesian minerals such as biotite or hornblende (depending on the definition of a granite). Basalt is composed mostly of plagioclase (a feldspar) and pyroxene. Each of those minerals has a different hardness, and geologists never use the hardness of a "rock" to determine what kind of rock it is. Basalt is usually much finer grained than granite so it would be virtually impossible to determine the hardness of the individual mineral crystals. On Moh's hardness scale, the hardness of these rock-forming minerals are as follows: Quartz 7 Feldspar 6 (depending on the species of feldspar) Biotite 2.5-3 Pyroxene 5-6 (depending on the species of pyroxene) So the hardness of a rock is determined by the minerals, and in a coarse grained rock like a granite, the hardness can vary widely. The hardest mineral in granite (quartz) is harder than the hardest mineral in basalt (feldspar), but that's not enough to say that granite is conclusively harder than basalt. The resistance to breaking of a rock (which could be confused with the apparent hardness to a non-expert) is greatly affected by fractures, weathering, induration, welding, and many other features which are independent of mineral content.


How hard is basalt?

Basalt is higher in rock hardness than that of coarser grained igneous rocks like granite Compressive Strength (MPa) 100-300 Tensile Strength (MPa) 10-30 Shear Strength (MPa) 20-60 Bulk Density (Mg/m3) 2.8-2.9 Porosity % 0.1-1.0


Is basalt a gas?

No, basalt is not a gas. Basalt is an igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava, which is molten rock. It is a solid material with a fine-grained texture.


What rock is most commonly found in the Earth's crust?

Igneous rock, and specifically basalt.

Related Questions

Is marble harder than basalt?

No, basalt is generally harder than marble. Basalt is a mafic extrusive rock that has a higher hardness and durability compared to marble, which is a metamorphic rock.


Hardness of basalt?

its 8


Which is harder basalt or granite?

Both basalt and granite are types of rock, and a rock is composed of multiple minerals - except for some rocks composed of essentially one mineral like limestone (calcite) or quartzite (quartz). Minerals are crystalline compounds with known characteristics such as hardness, specific gravity, etc Therefore the hardness of the rock depends on the exact location on the rock you are testing the hardness, as it will vary from mineral to mineral. Some minerals even have differential hardness. Granite is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually some ferromagnesian minerals such as biotite or hornblende (depending on the definition of a granite). Basalt is composed mostly of plagioclase (a feldspar) and pyroxene. Each of those minerals has a different hardness, and geologists never use the hardness of a "rock" to determine what kind of rock it is. Basalt is usually much finer grained than granite so it would be virtually impossible to determine the hardness of the individual mineral crystals. On Moh's hardness scale, the hardness of these rock-forming minerals are as follows: Quartz 7 Feldspar 6 (depending on the species of feldspar) Biotite 2.5-3 Pyroxene 5-6 (depending on the species of pyroxene) So the hardness of a rock is determined by the minerals, and in a coarse grained rock like a granite, the hardness can vary widely. The hardest mineral in granite (quartz) is harder than the hardest mineral in basalt (feldspar), but that's not enough to say that granite is conclusively harder than basalt. The resistance to breaking of a rock (which could be confused with the apparent hardness to a non-expert) is greatly affected by fractures, weathering, induration, welding, and many other features which are independent of mineral content.


How hard is basalt?

Basalt is higher in rock hardness than that of coarser grained igneous rocks like granite Compressive Strength (MPa) 100-300 Tensile Strength (MPa) 10-30 Shear Strength (MPa) 20-60 Bulk Density (Mg/m3) 2.8-2.9 Porosity % 0.1-1.0


Is basalt a igneous metamorphic or sedimentary rock?

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock.


What is the dark colored rock the makes up most of the oceanic crust?

Basalt


What is a sentence using the word 'basalt'?

That rock was not Basalt, it was different. This is not a diamond, just a normal Basalt.


Is basalt a gas?

No, basalt is not a gas. Basalt is an igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava, which is molten rock. It is a solid material with a fine-grained texture.


When was Basalt Rock Company created?

Basalt Rock Company was created in 1920.


What rock is most commonly found in the Earth's crust?

Igneous rock, and specifically basalt.


Which igneous rock used for cobblestones and landscaping?

Basalt is a common igneous rock used for cobblestones and landscaping due to its durability, hardness, and ability to withstand weathering. It is often favored for its dark color and uniform texture, making it an attractive choice in outdoor design.


Is basalt an element a mineral or a rock?

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