Basalt

Dark grey fine grained volcanic rock composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, with relatively low silica (45-52 wt %). The composition reflects an upper mantle origin. Basalt is the most common type of volcanic rock on Earth, and it erupts from mid-ocean spreading ridges and hot spots (e.g., Hawaii and Iceland). The intrusive coarsely crystalline igneous rock equivalent is called gabbro.

Latest News

Word of the Week – Normal Fault

Word of the Week – Normal Fault

Normal Fault High angle fault that results from extensional stress and forms a steeply dipping planar structure. Slip movement during an earthquake is vertical and down dip. The...

read more
Word of the Week – Packers and Plugs

Word of the Week – Packers and Plugs

Packers and Plugs Downhole devices emplaced into a well to seal zones and intervals so they can be pressurized by pumping fluid from the surface in order to stimulate fractures at a...

read more
Word of the Week – PDC Drill Bit

Word of the Week – PDC Drill Bit

PDC Drill Bit Polycrystalline diamond compact drill bits have been long used in oil and gas drilling, and only recently have they been used in geothermal drilling. The PDC cutters are known...

read more

Utah FORGE

Advancing innovative technologies to unlock Earth’s limitless geothermal energy.