My Rock: Barry the Basalt
By: Shreyas Rao
Type of Rock
Basalt is an Igneous Rock. An Igneous rock is formed from cooling and Solidifying Magma or Lava. Basalt is and Extrusive Igneous Rock. Extrusive Igneous Rocks are igneous rocks that cool at the earth's surface.
Composition
Basalt contains the minerals augite, olivine, and pyroxene, which are all mafic minerals. It also has a 45-52% Silicon Dioxide(SiO2) Content. Even the Silica amount seems high it is actually relatively low, which is the reason there is so much of it. Basalt is a mafic rock so it contains a lot of calcite, iron, and magnesium.
Texture
The texture of barry can be aphanitic or porphyritic. Aphanitic means the rock is fine grained and cools quickly so large crystals do not grow. Aphanitic represents the texture of some igneous rocks. Porphyritic has very well formed crystals. Also like aphanitic, it is very fine grained. Porphyritic represents the texture for most igneous rocks. Most of the time Basalt is Aphanitic.
Origin
Since Barry is an extrusive igneous rock, Barry was created from the cooling of lava not magma. So the main point of origin like any other extrusive igneous rock is when there is a volcanic eruption where lava comes out.
Spot in the Rock Cycle
Basalt was created from the cooling and solidification of lava, so therefore its position in the rock cycle is solidification.
Uses of Basalt
Basalt has many uses in human life. For example, Basalt is used in constructing barriers such as seawalls and stone walls. Basalt is also used in the streets. There is basalt in the pavement and the curbs. Basalt is mostly used in road industries. Basalt can also create a surrounding around tires.
Research Citations
- Basalt. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2016, from Encyclopedia Britannica website: http://www.britannica.com/science/basalt
- Basalt. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2015, from Geology- rocks and monerals website: https://flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz/rocks_minerals/rocks/basalt.htm
- Berry, K. M., Fronk, R. H., Hemmenway, M. K., Kaska, K., Malin, P. E., Meech, K.
J., & Sager, R. J. (2007). Holt Science and Technology: Holt Science and
Technology: Earth Science. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. - Pidwirny, M. (n.d.). Formation of the earth's crust (J. Shroder, Ed.). Retrieved January 1, 2016, from Encyclopedia of the Earth website: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/51cbedcf7896bb431f694125/
- VHP photo glossary: Basalt. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2016, from USGS website: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/basalt.php