From Conservapedia
Basalt lava (glowing rock) oozes over basalt lava flow
Basalt is a hard, black
volcanic rock with less than about 52 weight percent
silica (
SiO2). Because of basalt's low silica content, it has a low viscosity (resistance to flow). Therefore, basaltic lava can flow quickly and easily move more than 20 km from a
vent. The low
viscosity typically allows
volcanic gases to escape without generating enormous eruption columns. Basaltic lava fountains and fissure eruptions, however, still form explosive fountains hundreds of meters tall. Common minerals in basalt include
olivine,
pyroxene, and
plagioclase. Basalt is erupted at temperatures between 1100 to 1250° C.
Sources
USGS Photo Glossary