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Both basalt and granite are types of rock, and a rock is composed of multiple minerals - except for some rocks composed of essentially one mineral like limestone (calcite) or quartzite (quartz). Minerals are crystalline compounds with known characteristics such as hardness, specific gravity, etc
Therefore the hardness of the rock depends on the exact location on the rock you are testing the hardness, as it will vary from mineral to mineral. Some minerals even have differential hardness.
Granite is composed of quartz, feldspar, and usually some ferromagnesian minerals such as biotite or hornblende (depending on the definition of a granite). Basalt is composed mostly of plagioclase (a feldspar) and pyroxene. Each of those minerals has a different hardness, and geologists never use the hardness of a "rock" to determine what kind of rock it is. Basalt is usually much finer grained than granite so it would be virtually impossible to determine the hardness of the individual mineral crystals.
On Moh's hardness scale, the hardness of these rock-forming minerals are as follows:
Quartz 7
Feldspar 6 (depending on the species of feldspar)
Biotite 2.5-3
Pyroxene 5-6 (depending on the species of pyroxene)
So the hardness of a rock is determined by the minerals, and in a coarse grained rock like a granite, the hardness can vary widely.
The hardest mineral in granite (quartz) is harder than the hardest mineral in basalt (feldspar), but that's not enough to say that granite is conclusively harder than basalt.
The resistance to breaking of a rock (which could be confused with the apparent hardness to a non-expert) is greatly affected by fractures, weathering, induration, welding, and many other features which are independent of mineral content.
What else can I help you with?
Which rock has more silica granite or basalt?
Granite has more silica content than basalt. Granite is a felsic rock with higher silica content, while basalt is a mafic rock with lower silica content.
Which is more dense basalt or granite?
Granite.
What layer of the Earth is made up of the rocks basalt and granite?
The Earth's outermost layer where basalt and granite are found is called the crust. Basalt is more common in the oceanic crust, while granite is more prevalent in the continental crust.
What does granite and basalt have in common?
Basalt and Granite are igneous rocks which are very hard.
What rock has more silica granite or basalt?
Granite has more silica than basalt. Granite is a light-colored, coarse-grained igneous rock made up of quartz, feldspar, and mica, which are minerals rich in silica. Basalt, on the other hand, is a dark-colored, fine-grained igneous rock with lower silica content compared to granite.
What type of grain do granite and basalt have?
Granite - coarse grained. Basalt - fine grained.
Is granite in basalt?
No. Granite and basalt have different compositions and form under different circumstances.
Is igneous rock granite or basalt?
Both granite ans basalt are types of igneous rock.
Is basalt equal to granite?
No. Basalt is extrusive whilst granite is intrusive, among other things.
Basalt has a greater specific gravity than granite?
Basalt does have a greater specific gravity. Granite is not as dense as basalt.
Which rock has more silica granite or basalt?
Granite has more silica content than basalt. Granite is a felsic rock with higher silica content, while basalt is a mafic rock with lower silica content.
Why are basalt and granite important igneous rock?
As it turns out, most of the ocean floor is basalt, and most of the continents are granite.
Are basaltic igneous rocks lower in density than granitic rocks?
Granite is very much less dense than basalt. This is why the continental crust (mostly composed of granite) floats on Oceanic crust (made mostly of basalt). Granite is 70 % silicon. Where basalt is mainly pyroxene.
Which is more dense basalt or granite?
Granite.
What is the comparison of granite and basalt in terms of origin and texture which is intrusive and which is extrusive?
Basalt can't see crystals and basalt is extrusive. Granite you can see the crystals and is intrusive.
Ano ang pag kakaiba ng granite and basalt?
what is basalt
What are the colors of basalt and granite?
Basalt is generally dark, mostly appearing as gray, black, or greenish. Granite is lighter than basalt, and ranges from dark red to white.
