Although they are both igneous rocks which have solidified from magma, granite is an intrusive igneous rock and basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. As an extrusive igneous rock, the magma that formed granite had a long time to cool underground, and therefore consists of larger, visible mineral crystals. Basalt on the other hand, cooled rather rapidly from magma after eruption from a volcano and therefore is aphanitic, with crystals too small to be seen with the naked eye.
There is also a difference in chemistry. Granite is considered felsic, with a preponderance of silicate minerals like quartz and orthoclase feldspar. Basalt is considered mafic, with an abundance of heavier minerals like olivine and amphibole, thus making it heavier than granite. These minerals also give basalt a dark color compared to the lighter colored granite.
Basalt does have a greater specific gravity. Granite is not as dense as basalt.
Both granite ans basalt are types of igneous rock.
As it turns out, most of the ocean floor is basalt, and most of the continents are granite.
Granite is very much less dense than basalt. This is why the continental crust (mostly composed of granite) floats on Oceanic crust (made mostly of basalt). Granite is 70 % silicon. Where basalt is mainly pyroxene.
Basalt can't see crystals and basalt is extrusive. Granite you can see the crystals and is intrusive.
Granite - coarse grained. Basalt - fine grained.
No. Granite and basalt have different compositions and form under different circumstances.
Basalt does have a greater specific gravity. Granite is not as dense as basalt.
Both granite ans basalt are types of igneous rock.
No. Basalt is extrusive whilst granite is intrusive, among other things.
Granite has more silica than basalt in it.
As it turns out, most of the ocean floor is basalt, and most of the continents are granite.
Granite is very much less dense than basalt. This is why the continental crust (mostly composed of granite) floats on Oceanic crust (made mostly of basalt). Granite is 70 % silicon. Where basalt is mainly pyroxene.
Granite.
Basalt can't see crystals and basalt is extrusive. Granite you can see the crystals and is intrusive.
Basalt is generally dark, mostly appearing as gray, black, or greenish. Granite is lighter than basalt, and ranges from dark red to white.
what is basalt