Basalt Columns

Basalt columns

Biomes	Basalt Deltas
Generates in existing chunks	No
Consists of	Basalt

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    "title": "Basalt columns",
    "rows": [
        {
            "field": "<span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BiomeSprite basalt-deltas.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Basalt Deltas|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Basalt Deltas article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Basalt Deltas</span>)</span>",
            "label": "(link to Biome article, displayed as Biomes)"
        },
        {
            "field": "No",
            "label": "Generates in<br>existing chunks  "
        },
        {
            "field": "\n* <span class=\"nowrap\"><span class=\"sprite-file\" style=\"\">(link to File:BlockSprite basalt.png article, displayed as 16x16px|link=Basalt|alt=|class=pixel-image|)</span>(link to Basalt article, displayed as <span class=\"sprite-text\">Basalt</span>)</span>",
            "label": "Consists of"
        }
    ],
    "invimages": [],
    "images": [
        "Tall basalt column.png"
    ]
}

Basalt columns are vertical clusters of basalt blocks found within basalt delta biomes. They may also contain lava and magma in the many gaps between the towers.

Generation

An example of basalt columns in the air and on the ground.

Basalt columns generate as part of the surface structure generation in the Basalt Deltas biome. They appear in two variations: small basalt columns and large basalt columns. These formations are placed during the Surface Structures decoration step and contribute to the biome's rugged, volcanic terrain.

The game defines their generation using the following features:

• Small Basalt Columns – Controlled by NetherPlacements.SMALL_BASALT_COLUMNS
• Large Basalt Columns – Controlled by NetherPlacements.LARGE_BASALT_COLUMNS

Basalt columns are defined as Placed Features, which determine their spawning frequency and location. The generation process follows these steps:

1. Configured Features:
   • The game references pre-defined basalt column structures from NetherFeatures.SMALL_BASALT_COLUMNS and NetherFeatures.LARGE_BASALT_COLUMNS.
   • These features define the basic shape and formation of the columns.
2. Placement Registration (NetherPlacements.bootstrap()):
   • The basalt column features are registered with specific placement rules:
     • Small Basalt Columns spawn 4 times per chunk (CountOnEveryLayerPlacement.of(4)).
     • Large Basalt Columns spawn 2 times per chunk (CountOnEveryLayerPlacement.of(2)).
   • The placement occurs using the BiomeFilter.biome() rule, ensuring they only appear in the Basalt Deltas biome.
3. World Generation Step (GenerationStep.Decoration.SURFACE_STRUCTURES):
   • During terrain decoration, the game places basalt columns in randomized locations.
   • Their height, clustering, and spread are determined by internal noise functions and world height layers.

Interaction with other features

• Basalt columns often generate alongside Basalt Blobs (NetherPlacements.BASALT_BLOBS), which contribute to the rugged terrain.
• The presence of Blackstone Blobs (NetherPlacements.BLACKSTONE_BLOBS) adds variation to the biome’s rocky surface.

Data values

ID

Java Edition:

Feature type	Identifier
[No displayed name]	stepped_column_cluster

Configured feature	Identifier
[No displayed name]	large_basalt_columns
[No displayed name]	small_basalt_columns

Bedrock Edition:

Feature	Identifier
[No displayed name]	basalt_columns_feature

Config

Java Edition:

• [NBT Compound / JSON Object] config
  • [NBT Compound / JSON Object] column_reach The max radius of a column in this column cluster. Value between 0 and 3 (inclusive).
  • [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] column_count The number of columns to generate. Value between 1 and 150 (inclusive).
    • Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template
  • [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] height The max height is height + 1. Value between 1 and 10 (inclusive).
  • [Int][NBT Compound / JSON Object] cluster_reach The size of the square to attempt to generate columns in. Value between 0 and 13 (inclusive) which is also limited by height.
  • [String] block Which block to place.
  • [String] can_replace Which blocks can be replaced by the column.
  • [String] continue_through Which pre-existing blocks to accept as part of a column.
  • [String] cannot_place_on Which blocks are avoided when starting placement.
    • Int provider see Template:Nbt inherit/int_provider/template

An example

{
  "type": "minecraft:basalt_columns",
  "config": {
    "height": {
      "type": "minecraft:uniform",
      "value": {
        "max_inclusive": 4,
        "min_inclusive": 1
      }
    },
    "reach": 1
  }
}

History

Java Edition

Java Edition
1.16			20w15a				Added basalt columns.

Bedrock Edition

Bedrock Edition
1.16.0			beta 1.16.0.57				Added basalt columns.

Issues

Issues relating to "Basalt Columns" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

• In real life, columnar jointing is the phenomenon that causes rocks to form arrays of columns. Other rocks featured in Minecraft that can be subject to columnar jointing include andesite, tuff, and quartz.

Gallery

Screenshots

• 
  Basalt columns in a lava sea
• 
  These basalt columns generated on a floating blackstone island.