Perhaps basalt stones are the only type of natural stones that are very common on both the Earth and the Moon. It is the rock that can be found in the greatest abundance on the crust of the Earth and it was formed over the course of time as a result of volcanic eruptions and subsequent cooling.

You may not be aware of this specific stone, but you have definitely seen these basalt stones at least once. So, let us discuss several crucial pieces of information regarding basalt stones to increase your knowledge.

What Are Basalt Stones?

Basalt is a fine-grained and dark-colored volcanic rock that can sometimes show a columnar structure. This stone combines the consistent subtlety and coloring of limestone and the durability of granite.  This stone lines most of the sea surfaces around the world.

Basalt stones are formed by the eruption and cooling of volcanic lava and hence, consist of 45-55% of silica and about 10% of feldspar-containing minerals. The density of these stones is 3.0 gm/cm3.

Basalt stones were used to create stadiums and streets in ancient Rome. Due to their high durability, many of those structures are still in place today. When we talk about how durable basalt is, we should mention that the renowned Rosetta stone is also made of basalt.

History of the Formation of Basalt Stones

The structure of basalt stones is created by dissolved gases produced out of the lava in the form of bubbles. As the magma rises closer to the surface, the gas will attempt to break free and escape. However, they get trapped as the lava can cool down faster before those gases can escape. In Vietnam, basalt stones are really abundant.

Important Features of Basalt Stones:

#1. Not Affected by Weather: With good heat insulation, sound insulation, and even waterproofing, basalt stones are completely unaffected by any kind of weather conditions or factors.

#2. Proper Stiffness: Basalt stones are always considered by stone experts as one of the top stones with excellent bearing capacity and high hardness. You can say that this is the most incredible advantage of this stone.

#3. Aesthetic Value: A simple yet attractive beauty, along with several features from nature, Basalt stones can offer you building a unique look. This is something that you probably cannot find in another stone.

#4. Avoid Slippery: With the surface being processed like the ground or touched, it can help to increase the friction for the stone’s surface. This can minimize the occurrence of slippage to a great extent.

#5. Quite Interesting Formation: Basalt stones are extrusive rock and are created on the Earth’s surface. These natural stones contain a variety of minerals, including quartz, feldspar, plagioclase, olivine, biotite, and hornblende, among others.

Notable Uses of Basalt Stones

There is no doubt that you have already encountered basalt stones in various aspects of your daily life. Crushed basalt stones are typically utilized on a commercial basis to produce the base material for paved roads and roadways, as well as for railways. This stone is also a part of frequently used drainage projects as well as concrete mixtures.

Basalt stones are also used in sheets and slabs to build bricks, tiles, and various other stone objects for building monuments or buildings. So, you can say that it is the actual foundation of much of the world’s modern infrastructure.

If you like the idea of combining limestone and granite, you can easily use this mixture in your home improvement projects. Using basalt stones will definitely offer you something unique to share whenever you have guests in your house.

However, you should remember to contact a specialist before buying basalt stones for your home improvement projects. The kind of basalt stone that will look best on your home can only be determined by someone who specializes in working with stones.

Some Important Applications and Uses of Basalt Stones Are:

#1. Basalt Kerbs: Basalt Kerbs are utilized for constructing flower beds, pavements, and also the delimitation of paved areas. These stones can even be used as risers to link multiple walking surfaces along stairways.

#2. Basalt Tiles and Slabs: Basalt stones are a good option for making tiles and slabs, as they have amazing strength and durability. If you want to have contrasting color stones, you can mix basalt stone with other stones.

Hence, basalt stones are an interesting creation of nature that can help humans in various ways.