Characteristics Of Basalt And Granite

Basalt is the most common rock on earth s surface.

Characteristics of basalt and granite.

P wave velocity in basalt is about 3 km s at atmospheric pressure but increases by 50 when the hydrostatic pressure is increased to 120 mpa. The temperature of lava is between 1100 to 1250 c when it gets to the surface. The characteristics of granite from its appearance to the stone s tough qualities make it one of the most appealing materials on the market. Basalt forms when lava reaches the earth s surface near an active volcano.

In granite samples initial p wave velocity is 5 km s and increases with pressure by 20. Of the two basalt is darker and consists of fine grained minerals such as magnesium and iron while granite is lighter and consist of feldspar and quartz. It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation of shell coral algal and fecal debris. Among other differences the nature of these rocks reveals that basalt is basic in nature whereas granite is acidic in nature.

Basalt is mafic while granite is felsic basalt is common on both earth and other solar system bodies such as the moon and mars while granite is only common on earth and rare elsewhere in the solar system. It can also be a chemical sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of calcium. Granite is strong enough to withstand most abrasions large weights resist weather conditions and accept varnishes. Grant mason from the byu department of physics and astronomy discusses samples of granite and basalt rock.

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. Earth s most abundant bedrock basalt underlies more of earth s surface than any other rock type. It is the bedrock of the ocean floor and also occurs on land in extensive lava flows. Basalt is volcanic or extrusive forming at the surface while granite is plutonic or intrusive forming beneath the surface.

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock which is very hard crystalline and is visibly homogeneous in texture and forms by melting of continental rocks 5 2 composition. Specimens are black in color and weather to dark green or brown. Basalt is rich in iron and magnesium and is mainly composed of olivine pyroxene and plagioclase.