Alkali basalt
A rock classification type
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About Alkali basalt
A term used for a basaltic rock containing accessory foids, typically nepheline. Such rocks generally contain calcic plagioclase, augite and olivine as their main phases. Defined as a variety of basalt within TAS field B which contains normative nepheline, or as the equivalent foids-bearing basalt in field 10’ in the QAPF diagram. With increasing silica it grades into tholeiitic basalt, and with decreasing silica into basanite or tephrite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
48493
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48493:4
Classification of Alkali basalt

Alkali basalt appears in field 10' in the QAPF diagram.

Alkali basalt is found in field B in the TAS diagram.
Sub-divisions of Alkali basalt
- Alkali basalt
Mineralogy of Alkali basalt
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Calcic plagioclase | A petrological term for plagioclase series feldspars dominant in calcium. |
| Feldspathoid | A family of rock-forming minerals consisting of aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, or calcium and having too ... |
| Feldspathoid > Nepheline | Na3K(Al4Si4O16) |
| Olivine | Commonly used as a synonym for a member of the Fayalite-Forsterite Series, but more generally and properly ... |
| Titanium-bearing Augite | (Ca,Na)(Mg,Ti, Fe,Al,)(Si,Al)2O6 |
Age distribution
Recorded ages:
Phanerozoic : 296 ± 7 Ma to 0.212 ± 0.038 Ma - based on 11 recorded ages.
Sample ages:
| Sample ID | Recorded age | Geologic Time | Dating method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.280 ± 0.020 to 0.212 ± 0.038 Ma | Pleistocene | Ar/Ar |
| 2 | 2.3 ± 0.1 to 1.2 ± 0.1 Ma | Pleistocene | Ar-Ar |
| 3 | 6.30 ± 0.20 to 5.47 ± 1.2 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
| 4 | 9.08 ± 0.29 Ma | Miocene | Ar-Ar |
| 5 | 10.29 ± 0.04 to 9.97 ± 0.07 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
| 6 | 12.63 ± 0.17 to 0.71 ± 0.18 Ma | Cenozoic | |
| 7 | 15 to 11 Ma | Miocene | K-Ar |
| 8 | 23 to 20 Ma | Miocene | Ar-Ar, K-Ar, fission track |
| 9 | 30.0 ± 0.05 to 29.3 ± 0.4 Ma | Oligocene | K-Ar |
| 10 | 67.7 ± 0.7 to 64.4 ± 0.6 Ma | Phanerozoic | Ar-Ar |
| 11 | 296 ± 7 Ma | Cisuralian | K-Ar |
Sample references:
Synonyms of Alkali basalt
Other Language Names for Alkali basalt
German:Alkalibasalt
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 2 photos of Alkali basalt associated with 'Bomb-tephra' | |
| 2 photos of Alkali basalt associated with Augite | (CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6 |
Internet Links for Alkali basalt
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-48493.html
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References for Alkali basalt
Reference List:



Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania