Basalt
A rock classification type
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About Basalt
A mafite or basaltoid containing mostly calcic plagioclase, clinopyroxene +/- olivine, orthopyroxene, foids, oxides and rarely quartz.
A general term for fine-grained, mafic (dark-colored) igneous rocks, commonly extrusive (volcanic) but locally intrusive (e.g., as dikes or pipes), composed chiefly of plagioclase and clinopyroxene; the fine-grained equivalent of gabbro. Olivine and iron-titanium oxides are very common and nepheline, orthopyroxene, or quartz may be present. Adj. basaltic.
A general term for fine-grained, mafic (dark-colored) igneous rocks, commonly extrusive (volcanic) but locally intrusive (e.g., as dikes or pipes), composed chiefly of plagioclase and clinopyroxene; the fine-grained equivalent of gabbro. Olivine and iron-titanium oxides are very common and nepheline, orthopyroxene, or quartz may be present. Adj. basaltic.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
48492
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48492:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
9e6faa20-1fbe-4fd3-b27f-33c8251af398
Classification of Basalt
Basalt appears in fields 10,10* and 10’ in the QAPF diagram.
Basalt is found in field B in the TAS diagram.
Sub-divisions of Basalt
Mineralogy of Basalt
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Calcic plagioclase | A petrological term for plagioclase series feldspars dominant in calcium. |
| Pyroxene | A petrological term for Pyroxene Group. |
Non-essential minerals - these minerals are common, sometimes major components, but are not always present:
| Feldspathoid | A family of rock-forming minerals consisting of aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, or calcium and having too ... |
| Olivine | Commonly used as a synonym for a member of the Fayalite-Forsterite Series, but more generally and properly ... |
| Silica > Quartz | SiO2 |
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 358.9 ± 0.4 Ma to Ma - based on 67 recorded ages.
Varieties of Basalt
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 31 photos of Basalt associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 27 photos of Basalt associated with Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
| 25 photos of Basalt associated with Apophyllite Group | AB4[Si8O22]X · 8H2O |
| 20 photos of Basalt associated with Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O |
| 19 photos of Basalt associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 19 photos of Basalt associated with Copper | Cu |
| 18 photos of Basalt associated with Celadonite | K(MgFe3+◻)(Si4O10)(OH)2 |
| 16 photos of Basalt associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 16 photos of Basalt associated with Stilbite Subgroup | M6-7[Al8-9Si27-28O72] · nH2O |
| 13 photos of Basalt associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
Internet Links for Basalt
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-48492.html
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References for Basalt
Reference List:
El Hierro, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Province, Canary Islands, Spain