Chert vs Basalt 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. Chert vs Basalt characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Chert and Properties of Basalt. Learn more about Chert vs Basalt in the next section. The interior uses of Chert include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Basalt include Floor tiles, Homes, Hotels and Kitchens. Due to some exceptional properties of Chert and Basalt, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Chert in construction industry include Arrowheads, Construction aggregate, Cutting tool, Spear points and that of Basalt include Arrowheads, As dimension stone, Cobblestones, Cutting tool, Rail track ballast, Roadstone.
More about Chert and Basalt
Here you can know more about Chert and Basalt. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Chert and Basalt consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Chert includes Quartz, Silicon and mineral content of Basalt includes Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Chert vs Basalt, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors whereas, Basalt is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors. Appearance of Chert is Glassy or Pearly and that of Basalt is Dull and Soft. Properties of rock is another aspect for Chert vs Basalt. The hardness of Chert is 6.5-7 and that of Basalt is 6. The types of Chert are Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter whereas types of Basalt are Alkaline Basalt, Boninite, High Alumina Basalt, Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB), Tholeiitic Basalt, Basaltic trachyandesite, Mugearite and Shoshonite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Chert is white while that of Basalt is white to grey. The specific heat capacity of Chert is 0.74 kJ/Kg K and that of Basalt is 0.84 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Chert is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Basalt is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.