igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, white, gray, and black; Luster: Phaneritic (granular/crystalline); Structure: Massive/Granular; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled pink, white, gray, and black
- Luster
- Phaneritic (granular/crystalline)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled pink, white, gray, and black; Luster: Phaneritic (granular/crystalline); Structure: Massive/Granular; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that cools over millions of years, typically found in continental crust and mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and bridges due to its durability and resistance to weathering.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock in the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore in South Dakota is carved into a massive outcrop of granite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking crystals of quartz (clear), feldspar (pink or white), and mica (shiny black flakes). It is found globally in large continental masses.
