What is vesicular texture in rock?

Vesicular texture in rock refers to the presence of small, rounded cavities or bubbles within the rock. These cavities are formed when gas bubbles become trapped in the molten rock as it cools and solidifies. Vesicular texture is commonly found in volcanic rocks, such as basalt and andesite, which have a high gas content. The bubbles can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Vesicular texture can give volcanic rocks a lightweight, sponge-like appearance and reduce their density. The presence of vesicles also indicates that the rock formed from magma that was relatively rich in gas content. Vesicular texture is an important characteristic used in the identification and classification of volcanic rocks.