Basalt vs Phonolite

Basalt vs Phonolite Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Basalt and Phonolite Reserves. Basalt is a common extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of Earth. Phonolite is an uncommon extrusive igneous rock volcanic rock of intermediate chemical composition between felsic and mafic. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Basalt vs Phonolite information and Basalt vs Phonolite characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Basalt vs Phonolite Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Basalt vs Phonolite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Basalt and Properties of Phonolite. Learn more about Basalt vs Phonolite in the next section. The interior uses of Basalt include Floor tiles, Homes, Hotels and Kitchens whereas the interior uses of Phonolite include Countertops, Decorative aggregates, Flooring and Homes. Due to some exceptional properties of Basalt and Phonolite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Basalt in construction industry include Arrowheads, As dimension stone, Cobblestones, Cutting tool, Rail track ballast, Roadstone and that of Phonolite include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Manufacture of magnesium and dolomite refractories, Production of glass and ceramics.

More about Basalt and Phonolite

Here you can know more about Basalt and Phonolite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Basalt and Phonolite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Basalt includes Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene and mineral content of Phonolite includes Albite, Amphibole, Biotite, Cancrinite, Feldspar, Hornblende, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Sodalite. You can also check out the list of all Igneous Rocks. When we have to compare Basalt vs Phonolite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors whereas, Phonolite is available in brown, buff, cream, green, grey, pink, white colors. Appearance of Basalt is Dull and Soft and that of Phonolite is Banded and Foilated. Properties of rock is another aspect for Basalt vs Phonolite. The hardness of Basalt is 6 and that of Phonolite is 5.5-6. The types of Basalt are Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite whereas types of Phonolite are Kenyte. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Basalt is white to grey while that of Phonolite is white. The specific heat capacity of Basalt is 0.84 kJ/Kg K and that of Phonolite is Not Available. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Basalt is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Phonolite is heat resistant, impact resistant, wear resistant.