igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, consisting mainly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Features a phaneritic texture with visible interlocking mineral crystals.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, consisting mainly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Features a phaneritic texture with visible interlocking mineral crystals.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground, typically during major mountain-building events over billions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in commercial construction, monuments, countertops, and architectural facing stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock in the Earth's continental crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified in the field by its coarse-grained texture and speckled pink, white, and grey mineral grains; found globally in shield areas and batholiths.
