igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, gray, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, gray, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most granites are Precambrian to Cenozoic in age and typically form at convergent plate boundaries in continental crust.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found in mountain ranges and continental shields worldwide.
