igneous
Granite
Granite (Plutonic Igneous Rock)
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale. Light gray to off-white matrix with dark speckles (biotite/hornblende). Dull to vitreous luster, fine to medium-grained phaneritic texture, non-cleavage blocky fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness 6-7 on Mohs scale. Light gray to off-white matrix with dark speckles (biotite/hornblende). Dull to vitreous luster, fine to medium-grained phaneritic texture, non-cleavage blocky fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of felsic magma beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive plutonic environment). Found globally in continental crust and mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a construction material, dimension stone, countertops, paving, monuments, and aggregate for concrete.
Geological facts
Granite forms the majority of the Earth's continental crust. Its durability and abundance make it one of the most commercially significant rocks in human history.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its speckled appearance composed of visible mineral grains of light-colored feldspar/quartz mixed with dark minerals. Commonly found in gravel, riverbeds, and mountain outcrops.
