Chert and Basalt Types and Facts
Types
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter
Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Easter Island in the Polynesian Triangle, Pacific Ocean, Gateway of India in Mumbai, India, Gol Gumbaz in Karnataka, India
Sculpture
Not Yet Used
Used
Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Not Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Not Used
Used
Figurines
Not Yet Used
Used
Types of Chert and Basalt
Some rocks according to their use or texture are classified into different types. Know more about Chert Texture and Basalt Texture. Types of Chert are Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter whereas the types of Basalt are Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite.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. Chert was not used to create pictographs whereas Basalt is 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. Chert was not used to create petroglyphs whereas Basalt was used to create petroglyphs.