Chemical formula of basalt. Description of basalt stone. Magical and healing properties

Basalt

During crystallization, as basaltic magma rises to the surface of the Earth, at a depth, strongly differentiated in composition, layered intrusions are sometimes formed, in particular gabbro-norites (such as Norilsk, Sudbury in Canada and some others). In such massifs there are deposits of copper-nickel ores and platinoids.

The main igneous rocks in the CIS are very common. They occupy, taking into account the Siberian traps, 44.5% of the territory of the CIS and are of great interest as raw materials. More than 200 deposits of basalt rocks are known, of which more than 50 deposits are being exploited. Currently, basalts are used not only in construction (crushed stone, piece stone, building cladding, etc.), but also for the production of stone casting, petrositalls, basalt fibers, and raw materials for producing Portland cement clinker.

Origin

Basalts are formed during the solidification of a silicate magmatic melt of the main (basalt) composition that has poured out onto the surface of the Earth, meaning by this the bottom of the ocean. Forms of occurrence - flows and covers, separated by deposits of pyroclastic (tuff) or sedimentary material. The power of individual flows of basaltic lavas, which have a low viscosity in the molten state, is usually small. The origin of basaltic magma, according to one of the hypotheses, consists in the partial melting of typical mantle rocks, harzburgites, wehrlites, etc. The composition of the melt is determined by the chemical and mineral composition of the protolith (original rock), the physicochemical conditions of melting, the degree of melting, and the mechanism of melt escape.

According to the geodynamic nature, the following types of basalts are distinguished:

• mid-ocean ridge basalts
• basalts of active continental margins
• intraplate basalts, which can be subdivided into continental and oceanic basalts.

The eruption of mid-ocean ridge basalts is the most important process in terms of mass in the upper part of the Earth.

Changes

Basalts are very easily altered by hydrothermal processes. At the same time, plagioclase is replaced by sericite, olivine by serpentine, the groundmass is chloritized, and as a result, the rock acquires a greenish or bluish color. The basalts that pour out at the bottom of the seas change especially intensively. They actively interact with water, while many components are removed and deposited from them. This process is of great importance for the geochemical balance of some elements. So most of the manganese enters the ocean in this way. Interaction with water radically changes the composition of marine basalts. This influence can be estimated and used to reconstruct the conditions of ancient oceans from basalts.

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See what "Basalt" is in other dictionaries:

- (Latin basaltes, from Heb. barsel iron). Mining rock, found in the form of pillars. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. BASALT lat. basaltes. Mining stone spilled rock, found in the form of ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Basalt- - dark volcanic rock, consisting of a dense or very fine-grained mass, but may contain porphyritic segregations. Basalt is well polished. Basalt is used as rubble stone, filler for concrete, for paving ... ... Builder's Dictionary

Dark cainotype volcano. n., which is the effusive equivalent of gabbro, consisting of Ch. arr. from basic plagioclase (labrador, bytonite or even anorthite), augite and often olivine. Magnetite or ilmenite is usually present. The breed is entirely ... ... Geological Encyclopedia

Trapp, variolite, anamesite Dictionary of Russian synonyms. basalt n., number of synonyms: 8 anamesite (2) ... Synonym dictionary

Dark dense recent igneous rock. Previously, it was combined into one group, along with many other breeds similar to them in appearance, under the common name of the trap; Subsequently, this group was subdivided into dolerites, anamesites and basalts ... Encyclopedia of Brockhaus and Efron

basalt- a, m. basalte m., German. Basalt, lat. basaltes. Rock of volcanic origin. Sl. 18. Volcanic rock of fine-grained or dense structure, usually black or dark gray. ALS 2. First noted. in Sl. comm… … Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

basalt- basalt, basaltic rocks Basalt is a cainotype basic mountain rock. The texture is massive and porous. Zabarvlennya B. dark to black. Efusive analogue of Gabro. H.h. from basic plagioclase, monoclinic pyroxene, olivine, ... ... Girnichiy encyclopedic dictionary

A dark, effusive mafic rock composed primarily of mafic plagioclase, pyroxenes, and often olivine. Full-crystalline basalts dolerites, with a glassy structure hyalobasalts and tachylites. Basalts occupy huge ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Basalt is a very popular stone, which is found everywhere not only in the CIS countries, but also abroad. Regardless, most people don't know what basalt is. This article will provide an answer to this question.

Basalt is an igneous rock. Has the main composition. The name comes from the Ethiopian "basal" - boiled, which means "a stone containing iron." In nature, it can be found in the form of stones of various shapes or in the form of a lava flow.

Most often it has a dark gray, black or greenish-black color. It is in green that basalt is most often found in the photo. The structure is also different. glassy, ​​cryptocrystalline aphyric and porphyritic. In the case of a porphyritic structure, one can notice inclusions of crystals of greenish-yellow olivine, light-colored plagioclase, or pyroxenes that have the shape of black prisms. Inclusions make up from 15% to 30% of the mass of igneous rock. The size of the phenocrysts is several centimeters in length.

Stones can have a dense, massive, almond-like and porous texture. Tonsils can be filled with calcite, chlorite, plagioclase and other minerals. Stones with tonsils are called mandelsteins.

The stone stands out for its unique properties. Among the stones, it is considered the most elastic and plastic. It stretches well, which allows it to be used in the manufacture of things of small sizes.

The melting point of the stone fluctuates 100 to 1500 degrees Celsius. This melting point allows it to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations.

Considering its strength, resistance to shock and temperature changes, one can understand why it is so often used in the design of public spaces and on the street.

How and where is basalt formed?

The main method of stone formation is solidification of magma erupted from the lower layers of the earth. Silicate igneous melt of basalt composition is also taken into account. The origin of magma itself comes from the rocks of the Earth's mantle. The type of the resulting basalt is determined by the composition of the initial substance (rock) from which it is formed. And also this is influenced by the conditions under which it melts and the mechanism of melt escape.

Basalt is an igneous rock found on much of the Earth and other planets. Almost the entire oceanic crust of the planet Earth consists of it. Deposits of this stone are formed in the form of traps - structures that look like stairs. These traps are located on 150,000 square kilometers of the Yenisei and Lena river basins. And also the stone is mined in eastern Siberia.

In addition to the CIS countries, it is mined in America, Brazil, Greenland, Iceland and Australia. Among foreign countries, India is considered the richest in deposits of this stone.

Extraction of stone is carried out in mines and quarries. The mined basalt is sent to enterprises engaged in the manufacture of things using this stone.

Scope of stone use

The areas of application are many. This stone is very common due to the fact that it has great features:

One of the main areas of application of basalt is architectural construction. Due to its good technical characteristics, it can be used for cladding buildings and interior decoration. The characteristics allow you to install basalt products even in open areas under the influence of external negative factors.

It can also be used in construction. For example, to create high-quality building materials and insulation. In addition, its strength is sufficient to build columns and arches out of it. In the production of reinforced structures, basalt powder is added to the product to increase its strength and reliability.

Basalt is a stone that is very popular both in construction and architecture. In addition, there are a huge number of photos of basalt in interior decoration that speak of its popularity in design art.

Basalt stone

Basalt is one of the most widespread outflowing rocks, having a dark gray or black color, has a high density.

History of the stone

The name of this mineral appeared due to the word from the Ethiopian language "basal", which translates as "boiled". The reason for this name is that basalt appeared due to volcanic eruptions.

Basalt was widely used due to the fact that paving stones were made from it for paving streets, as well as squares. Even today, the historical parts of most cities in Russia are paved with paving stones made of basalt.

It is believed that 4 elements are combined in basalt at once - fire, water, earth and air. As a result, a large amount of heat is retained in the mineral, which favorably affects the ability of basalt to thermally affect the body of any person.

The chemical composition of basalt

Basalt contains calcium feldspar, augite, volcanic glass, plagioclase microlites, etc.

Deposits and use

There are rich deposits of basalt in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, India, Iceland, Greenland, Australia, North America, and Africa.

It is used during construction as a rubble stone, a filler for concrete, as a building material in the implementation of paving streets, in the production process of cast stone products. It is basalt that is the main source of crushed stone and acid-resistant powder. It is also popular in the performance of exterior finishing works of buildings.

Types and colors

To date, there are several varieties of basalt.

• Which contains an excess of silica, is called quartz-normative;
• In which there is a lack of silica, is called nepheline-normative;
• In which there is no normative quartz or nepheline, it is called hypersthene-normative.

As for the color scheme, it is mainly shades of black and gray, very rarely - green and red-brown.

Medicinal properties

Today, basalt as an element of treatment is mainly used in the course of stone therapy, which has its roots in ancient times. Stone therapy has a beneficial effect on the state of the immune system as a whole.

A prerequisite for conducting stone therapy is the requirement to preserve the natural appearance of basalt. In addition, the size of the stone affects the medical power of the mineral, therefore, the larger the stone, the more significant a positive effect it has on the health of a person who undergoes stone therapy.

To cleanse the stones after the procedures from negative energy, they need to be washed under a strong stream of cold and always clean water. And in order for the stones to be recharged, they must be placed in dry salt for a while, and then put in the sun.

magical properties

Information about the magical properties of basalt is extremely scarce, if not almost non-existent. It is known that this mineral allows men to experience greater self-confidence, as this mineral carries male energy. There is also an opinion that the stone has a beneficial effect on the strength of the family, strengthening the atmosphere of goodwill and emotional balance.

Which zodiac sign suits

Astrologers do not talk about the negative or positive impact of basalt for representatives of any zodiac sign.

What characteristics do granite and basalt have, how do they differ from each other? Firstly, these rocks have a different origin, and secondly, each of them has its own structure, which immediately catches the eye. Thirdly, both granite and basalt are strong, but basalt is still stronger. However, this does not mean that it is much easier. So, first things first.

Origin and appearance

In addition, fine and medium-grained minerals lend themselves perfectly. These allow granite to retain its shape and shine even under significant loads and friction for decades, which is why this durable material is so popular as a facing material.

Basalt rock is heavier than granite, but also more durable. Its density is 2520-2970 kg/m³, compressive strength is up to 400 MPa. Resistant to virtually any chemical substance, be it acid or alkali, as well as temperature fluctuations up to 1200°C.

It is curious to note the fact that, with its characteristics, basalt has a high plasticity. This makes it possible to manufacture modern acoustic systems from it, capturing the finest vibrations of sound waves. Basalt is also often used for cladding, street monuments, mineral wool for building insulation, as well as for crushed stone, concrete and stone casting.

What is the difference between granite and basalt?

According to geologists, the main difference between them is their origin: almost the entire bottom of the world's oceans is covered with deposits of basalt, while the rocks of the continents are formed from granite. A knowledgeable person will also distinguish them by color. The basalt rock is dark in color, rather thin, but at the same time heavy. Granite is light in color, relatively light and strong, like a rock.

When the lithospheric plates of the earth's crust move, the continents collide with the ocean floor, crushing it under them with a continental rock mass. At the same time, when exposed to high temperatures (over 1450 ° C), basalt melts and sinks to the bottom, while granite, on the contrary, comes to the surface of the earth.

Where the name of the stone basalt came from is not known for certain. There are several versions, and each of them reveals the essence of the stone.

The first claims that the word basalt comes from the Greek "basis", which means the basis. It turns out that this is the rock that underlies everything that exists. It is common on all continents - it is thousands of square kilometers of land and the same amount, and maybe more - the bottom of the oceans.

According to the second version, the name comes from the word "basal", which in Ethiopian means boiling. The peoples of Africa, where this stone is common, believe that it first boiled under the ground, and then poured out to the surface and froze. This version is also not far from the truth. The main deposits are located in places of volcanic activity.

Basalt - large layers or stones of dark gray or black color, sometimes there are green samples, which indicates its change. In different deposits, a stone of different composition, color, properties is mined. Each of these types is used in industry.

Basalt is a rock of igneous origin, it is a product of crystallization of basalt magma.

The structure of basalts is different. Most often it is considered as fine-grained, less often glassy. Sometimes there are porphyrated basalts, they can be seen interspersed with other minerals, mainly plagioclase, augitome, pyroxenes. The size of the crystals can reach several centimeters in length, and their share of the total mass can reach up to 25%.

The texture is also different:

• massive;
• porous;
• almond stone.

A porous structure is formed on the surface of basaltic lavas. When the melt cooled after the eruption, gases and water vapors escaped, forming bubbles, which later solidified, forming a porous material.

Sometimes the voids formed are filled with other minerals: copper, calcium, zeolite,. As a result of filling voids, amygdaloidal basalt or mandelstein is formed.

Another approach to classification is by composition: graphite and others.

During hydrothermal processes, basalts are easily altered. Some minerals are replaced by others, which changes their color to blue or green. The process is especially active at the bottom of the seas. This changes not only the composition, appearance of the stone, but also the mineral composition of the water. For example, most of the manganese in the ocean appeared there in this way. By examining marine samples, one can guess what the composition of ancient waters was.

Marine basalts are shaped like a pillow due to the fact that the upper layers, meeting with water, quickly cool down, and subsequent flows are forced to lift the crust, pour out from under them, forming another pillow.

On land, formations can have a columnar shape. This is magma that once solidified in the mouth of a volcano, but eventually cracked along vertical planes. Over time, erosion destroys the walls of the volcano, exposing the rock. This leads to the appearance of huge clusters of pillars of the correct form. They are more like a man-made structure than a natural formation. There are cases when these pillars were used for the construction of buildings.

The most famous deposits:

• Kamchatka and the Kuriles;
• Vicinities of Vesuvius and Etna;
• Hawaii, which is famous for its perfectly black basalt;
• India, Himalayan mountain range. Here, during the movement of the Hindustan tectonic plate, ancient layers of basalt rock were exposed;
• basalt from Australia and Canada is one of the oldest. It was formed almost together with our planet, for which scientists appreciate it.

Application of basalt

It is used in many industries.

The main properties used in industry:

• well absorbs noise;
• resistant to high temperatures;
• harmless to health;
• lasting;
• keeps warm for a long time;
• not electrified.

Along with it is considered one of the most durable materials. However, it cannot be considered eternal. The weak side of some species is high porosity. It absorbs moisture, and then cracks due to damage to the structure by ice crystals. Basalt cannot withstand abrasive wear: regular friction, wind, sand will destroy the stone. True, this will take a long time.

The main areas of activity where basalt is used:

• it is used to make sandwich panels, wall or floor tiles, soundproofing wall covering, it is also used as an additive to concrete;
• architecture. It is used for the manufacture of parts for interior and exterior decoration, covering garden paths;
• raw materials for the production of reinforced products, which gives them strength;
• goes to the production of refractory fiber;
• protective dressing of materials based on bitumen;
• added to concrete as a plasticizer, hardening accelerator;
• is a raw material for crushed stone;
• raw materials for stone casting;
• basalt dust is an anti-corrosion coating that is resistant to any aggressive media, including acids.

This stone is used not only in processed form, but as solid natural slabs that are used for finishing buildings. Such a coating creates heat and sound insulation. It also cleans well by any means.

Basalt from West African deposits is considered the most beautiful. This is a dark green rock interspersed with multi-colored crystals. But it is not as resistant to temperature extremes as some varieties. For example, basalt from China and Siberia is recognized as the most durable. Chinese is also valued for its smoky gray color.

Medicinal properties

One of the remarkable properties used in traditional medicine is that it retains heat for a long time. In this regard, basalt balls are used for massage.

• relaxes;
• relieves spasms and clamps;
• relieves muscle and joint pain;
• strengthens the immune system;
• strengthens blood vessels and veins;
• smoothes cellulite.

Nervous people massage with a stone helps to calm down, relieve fatigue and stress. For some diseases, applications can be used. For example, for the treatment of the common cold. But it is worth remembering that not every disease can be treated with heat. Inflammations, especially those accompanied by fever, cannot be heated.

magical properties

Basalt is almost never used for making jewelry. Occasionally you can find beads or bracelets made of polished balls. Sometimes figurines can be found. All this, like any other stone product, can be used as a talisman. But its possibilities are not numerous.

• clarifies thoughts;
• helps to cope with anxiety and focus on work;
• reveals hidden opportunities and reserves;
• helps you find your purpose and place in life;
• pacifies and brings the soul into harmony;
• helps to realize a dream, directing in the right direction;
• keeps from committing bad deeds;
• gives strength to cope with difficulties.

Basalt is not an outwardly attractive stone. But it has great potential, since it was born from the bowels of the Earth. He is able to reveal the hidden potential in a person and direct him to achieve the most daring plans. But without the help of a person, the talisman will not work. Only strong faith and good energy of the owner will be able to activate the possibilities of the stone.