igneous
Granite
Granite (Plutonic Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Grayish, mottled with dark biotite/amphibole and light quartz/feldspar. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Texture: Phaneritic (medium- to coarse-grained interlocked crystals).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Grayish, mottled with dark biotite/amphibole and light quartz/feldspar. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Texture: Phaneritic (medium- to coarse-grained interlocked crystals).
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of felsic magma beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive igneous environment), often deep within continental crust over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used as construction material, dimension stone, countertops, paving, and coarse aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite forms a major part of the continental crust. Continental landmasses consist largely of granite and related felsic rocks, making it one of the most abundant rock types on Earth's land surface.
Field identification & locations
Identified in the field by its visible interlocking mineral grains (quartz, feldspar, biotite/hornblende) and light-to-medium gray or pinkish hue. Found in batholiths and exposed plutonic regions worldwide.
