Difference between revisions of "Basalt"
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[http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/basalt.html USGS Photo Glossary] | [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/basalt.html USGS Photo Glossary] | ||
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Revision as of 22:44, July 14, 2007
Basalt is a hard, black volcanic rock with less than about 52 weight percent silica (). 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.
