Basalt stone is a fine-grained volcanic igneous rock with dark colors. This rock is composed of plagioclase and iroxene minerals. Most of the time, these rocks are formed by lava flows and in thresholds and dykes. Basalt is an exogenous rock.
It can be said that basalt is similar to gabbro in terms of composition, but the grain size is different in both rocks. Basalt is the most abundant bedrock that forms most of the oceanic crust, but in the continental crust it can be found in lava flows and flood basalt. Basalt is more underground than any other type of rock. Most of the areas within the ocean basins are under basalt.Basalt stone is a very important stone on the surface of the earth, it is also an abundant stone on the surface of the moon. Much of the surface of the Moon is covered by basaltic lava flows and flood basalts.
What is basalt stone?
Basalt is a fine-grained igneous rock, which is the most common type of volcanic rock on earth. It is the main component of the oceanic crust in many oceanic islands such as Iceland, Réunion and the Hawaiian Islands. Basalt is usually a very fine-grained or glassy matrix interspersed with visible mineral grains. Basalt is defined based on its mineral content and texture. Physical descriptions without mineralogical context may be unreliable in some situations. This stone is usually gray to black in color, but due to the oxidation of mafic minerals (rich in iron) and other oxides, it quickly changes color and changes to brown or red colors.
Often this rock is known as dark rock, but due to regional geochemical processes, it shows a wide range of shades. Due to weathering or high concentration of plagioclase, some basalts can have a lighter color.
How is this stone formed?
• Oceanic boundaries
• Oceanic hot spots
• Mantle masses and hot spots under the continental crust
Oceanic Boundaries: Most of these rocks are produced at plate boundaries at the mid-ocean ridge. In these places, due to displacement currents, molten rock erupts from the depths of the mantle to the surface of the mantle. These submarine fissure eruptions often produce pillow lavas.
Oceanic Hot Spots: Another place where this rock may be produced is above oceanic hot spots. These regions are places where a small mass of molten rock rises up through the mantle from a hot spot in the Earth’s core. The Hawaiian Islands are an example of these areas, which are made of basalt volcanoes above oceanic hotspots.
The formation of this rock in these places begins with the eruption of melt on the ocean floor. If the starting point is preserved, repeated eruptions can enlarge the volcanic cone until it is large enough to become an island. It can be said that almost all Hawaiian islands are made from the eruption of molten rocks of this rock on the sea floor.
Interesting use of building stone
Basalt is used as a crushed stone for construction purposes as aggregate. Crushed basalt is used for road base, concrete aggregate, asphalt pavement, filter stone in drainage fields and other purposes. In some cases, basalt can be cut into different shapes. Thin forms of stone are used for use as floor tiles, building cladding, historical monuments. Sometimes these stones are powdered and used in agriculture.
The use of this stone in agricultural industries
As mentioned, basalt is an igneous rock that was created through the cooling and freezing of magma and lava. When it is made into powder, it improves agricultural soil. Igneous rocks such as this type of rock and granite have the highest amount of minerals. Basalt will provide a greater balance of nutrients for optimal plant health and vitality.
Basalt powder provides a continuous flow of nutrients to the plant over time even as it decomposes. No matter how much organic matter is added to the soil, it cannot compensate for the lack of plant minerals. If your crops are performing poorly, even with the benefits of composts, fertilizers and good drainage, your soil may still be deficient in minerals. It’s always a good idea to get your soil tested to help you get on the right track. Basalt has a very high content of silica and lime, which is easily metabolized and makes the soil fertile. Using rock dust is a low-cost, high-impact way to help restore your soil. Be with us to buy basalt stone
Environmental effects of building stone
Basalt is an inert stone that does not affect water parameters. This makes it a good choice for aquariums, because it does not raise or lower the pH; In addition, it will not affect the hardness of the water. Since basalt makes up most ocean basins, this sink would be a natural choice for use in your saltwater tanks.
Freshwater aquariums can also benefit from the wonderful benefits of this stone. This rock decomposes much faster than other igneous rocks and gives its nutrients to nature and plants. Basalt is also suitable for many types of vivariums, a vivarium is a closed place for plants to live, which can be placed on your table. Note that this stone is quite dense, so it must be placed firmly and not dangerously stacked on top of each other.
