Explains how the crystalline structure of basalt and gabbro creates tight interlocking grains that leave little room for water movement, resulting in low permeability.
Why Oceans Don't Drain Into the Ground
Permeability and Porosity: The Key Barriers
Why Igneous Rocks Block Flow
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Now, look at the rocks themselves. Basalt and gabbro are igneous rocks, formed from cooling magma. As this molten rock cools, minerals crystallize and grow into one another, locking together like puzzle pieces. This tight interlocking leaves almost no connected space for water to travel through. While some cracks may form as the rock cools, the overall structure is dense and resistant to flow, making it a poor conductor for water.
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