Basalt and Shoshonite Definition

Definition of Basalt and Shoshonite

The general Basalt and Shoshonite definition can be stated as: Basalt is a common extrusive igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling of basaltic lava exposed at or very near the surface of Earth. On the other hand, Shoshonite is a basaltic rock, properly a potassic trachyandesite, composed of olivine, augite and plagioclase phenocrysts in a groundmass with calcic plagioclase and sanidine and some dark-colored volcanic glass. Along with definition of Basalt and Shoshonite, get to know about Properties of Basalt and Shoshonite. Get to know more information about Basalt and Shoshonite origin and discoverer, etymology and class.

History of Basalt and Shoshonite

The history of Basalt and Shoshonite gives information about where the rock was found and who was its discoverer. Almost each and every aspect of Earth's history is recorded in rocks be it the volcanoes which were erupted or the plants, animals and organisms which are now extinct, as rocks are present from millions of years.

Basalt and Shoshonite Origin and Discoverer

Basalt and Shoshonite definition gives us a brief idea about the two rocks. In some cases, the definition also gives summary about the Formation of Basalt and Shoshonite. In this section, you will know about Basalt and Shoshonite Origin and Discoverer. Origin of Basalt is Egypt whereas Origin of Shoshonite is Wyoming,USA. It is interesting to know the name of Basalt and Shoshonite discoverer. The Discoverer of Basalt is Georgius Agricola and the discoverer of Shoshonite is Iddings.

Etymology of Basalt and Shoshonite

Along with Basalt and Shoshonite definition, know more about the etymology of Basalt and Shoshonite. Etymology of Basalt and Shoshonite gives information about origin and formation of a particular rock. Know more about Formation of Basalt and Formation of Shoshonite. The etymology of Basalt is From Late Latin Basaltes (variant of basanites ), very hard stone, which was imported from Ancient Greek Basanites while that of Shoshonite is From Late Latin Basaltes (variant of basanites ), very hard stone, which was imported from Ancient Greek Basanites. The process of formation of rocks defines the class of rock. All the rocks in a class are formed by similar processes. Basalt and Shoshonite belong to Igneous Rocks. The sub-class, group and other categories of Basalt and Shoshonite are listed below.

For Basalt,

• Sub-class: Durable Rock and Medium Hardness Rock
• Group: Volcanic
• Other Categories: Fine grained rock and Opaque rock

For Shoshonite,

• Sub-class: Durable Rock and Medium Hardness Rock
• Group: Volcanic
• Other Categories: Coarse grained rock, Fine grained rock, Medium grained rock and Opaque rock