It's found in many places around the world, including:

* Oceanic crust: Basalt makes up the majority of the Earth's oceanic crust, forming as magma erupts at mid-ocean ridges and cools quickly.

* Volcanic plateaus: Large areas of volcanic rock, like the Deccan Traps in India, are made up of basalt.

* Volcanic islands: Many islands, such as the Hawaiian Islands, are formed by basaltic eruptions.

* Continental flood basalts: Vast areas of basalt can erupt on continents, creating features like the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northwestern United States.

Why is basalt so common?

* Abundant magma source: Basalt is formed from the partial melting of the Earth's mantle, which is a very common source of magma.

* Fluid magma: Basalt magma is relatively fluid, allowing it to travel easily to the surface and erupt frequently.

* Rapid cooling: When basalt magma erupts, it cools quickly, forming fine-grained crystals. This is why basalt is often dark-colored and dense.