igneous
Granite Thin Section
Granitic rock (Phaneritic texture)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Interstitial quartz (white/gray), feldspars (tan/brown), and micas (high-interference 'bird-eye' maple colors); Luster: Vitreous under thin section; Structure: Crystalline mosaic; Cleavage: Visible in feldspar grains.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Luster
- Vitreous under thin section
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Interstitial quartz (white/gray), feldspars (tan/brown), and micas (high-interference 'bird-eye' maple colors); Luster: Vitreous under thin section; Structure: Crystalline mosaic; Cleavage: Visible in feldspar grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling and crystallization of felsic magma deep within the Earth's crust (plutonic). Found in continental crust contexts, often dating from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for geological study and petrography to identify mineral assemblages. In bulk form, granite is used for construction, countertops, and monuments.
Geological facts
This image is captured through a petrographic microscope using cross-polarized light (XPL), which causes minerals to display vibrant interference colors based on their birefringence properties.
Field identification & locations
Identify by presence of quartz (low relief, undulatory extinction), plagioclase (twinning), and biotite or muscovite. Found in mountain ranges and batholiths worldwide.
