Basalt "eyes-chain" from Germany.

Basalt is a mafic volcanic igneous rock formed by the solidification of lava. The solidification of the basalt occurs at the surface and therefore a basalt uitvloeiingsgesteente. Due to the rapid cooling no large crystals are formed. The most common minerals in basalt are amphibole, pyroxene-olivine and ilmenite. Also, other minerals, such as magnetite can be formed in basalt. Basalt is usually black in color and consists of small crystals. The variant of intrusive basalt is called gabbro. The shrinkage during the solidification of the basalt lava leads to typical hexagonal structures (basalt). Basalt is a uitvloeiingsgesteente and formed on the surface in areas of volcanic activity. It is typically a product of low viscosity fast flowing lava like in Hawaii. Also among the (sea) water surface may occur basal spout blends, such as the mid-ocean ridges. This so-called pillow basalts formed. Because the magma solidifies and reaches a temperature below the Curie point, the magnetic field of the Earth is captured at that point in the rock. The magnetic field is constantly changing and along the mid-ocean ridges formed a pattern of sequential magnetic periods, called magnetic polarity zones. This is used for paleogeographic reconstructions and dating of rocks. It is believed that the name basalt is a corruption of the name of the Egyptian landscape Bashan, where the stone species also occurs.