igneous
Granite with Mafic Xenolith
Intrusive Igneous Rock (Felsic to Intermediate)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: White/pinkish groundmass with black mafic mineral inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible interlocking crystals); Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White/pinkish groundmass with black mafic mineral inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: White/pinkish groundmass with black mafic mineral inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible interlocking crystals); Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years. The darker portion represents a xenolith—a foreign rock fragment trapped within the magma during its ascent and emplacement.
Uses & applications
Used in landscaping, decorative stone, counter tops, and as architectural aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common plutonic rock of Earth's continental crust. Xenoliths provide geologists with direct samples of the deep crust or mantle through which the magma traveled.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by the contrasting light-colored felsic minerals (quartz, feldspar) and dark mafic minerals (biotite, amphibole). Found globally in continental shields and mountain belts.
