granite
Sign in to saveGranite (, ) is a coarse-grained (phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, mica and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies underground. It is common in the continental crust of Earth, where it is found in igneous intrusions. These range in size from dikes only a few centimeters across to batholiths exposed over hundreds of square kilometers.
AI overview
Granite is a hard rock made mostly of quartz, feldspar, and mica that forms when hot, mineral-rich magma cools slowly underground. It is very common in Earth's continental crust and appears in a wide range of sizes, from small formations just a few centimeters wide to massive formations covering hundreds of square kilometers.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Rock.name
- Granite
- Rock.type
- Igneous
- Rock.image
- Bianco Sardo Granit mit polierter Oberfläche.jpg
- Rock.image_size
- 300px
- Rock.caption
- Granite containing plagioclase feldspar, potassium feldspar, quartz, biotite, and/or amphibole
- Rock.composition
- potassium feldspar, plagioclase feldspar, and quartz
- Rock.composition_secondary
- Differing amounts of muscovite, biotite, and hornblende-type amphiboles
- Rock.class
- Felsic
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
25 sectionsContents
- Description
- Physical properties
- Chemical composition
- Occurrence
- Origin
- Alphabet classification system
- Granitization
- Ascent and emplacement
- Weathering
- Natural radiation
- Industry and uses
- Antiquity
- Modern
- Sculpture and memorials
- Buildings
- Engineering
- Paving
- Curling stones
- Countertops
- Rock climbing
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Granite (, ) is a coarse-grained (phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, mica and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies underground. It is common in the continental crust of Earth, where it is found in igneous intrusions. These range in size from dikes only a few centimeters across to batholiths exposed over hundreds of square kilometers.
Granite is typical of a larger family of granitic rocks, or granitoids, that are composed mostly of coarse-grained quartz and feldspars in varying proportions. These rocks are classified by the relative percentages of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase (the QAPF classification), with true granite representing granitic rocks rich in quartz and alkali feldspar. Most granitic rocks also contain mica or amphibole minerals, though a few (known as leucogranites) contain almost no dark minerals.