Basalt and Andesite Types and Facts
Types
Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite
Icelandite
Features
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
Generally rough to touch, High silica content, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
Easter Island in the Polynesian Triangle, Pacific Ocean, Gateway of India in Mumbai, India, Gol Gumbaz in Karnataka, India
Middle of the Earth in Ecuador
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Used
Not Used
Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
Types of Basalt and Andesite
Some rocks according to their use or texture are classified into different types. Know more about Basalt Texture and Andesite Texture. Types of Basalt are Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite whereas the types of Andesite are Icelandite.During historic times, some rocks depending on their hardness were used to create Pictographs and Petroglyphs. Rocks which are hard were generally not used. Pictographs are paintings or drawings that have been placed or created on the surface of rock. Basalt was used to create pictographs whereas Andesite is not used to create pictographs. Petroglyph is an image which is carved into a rock. These are images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving or abrading, as a form of rock art. Basalt was used to create petroglyphs whereas Andesite was not used to create petroglyphs.