igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; composed primarily of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase; color ranges from pink to gray depending on its chemistry; phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture; luster ranges from vitreous to dull.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; composed primarily of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase; color ranges from pink to gray depending on its chemistry; phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture; luster ranges from vitreous to dull.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years, typically associated with continental crust and mountain-building processes.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, architectural facing stones, and paving.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible interlocking mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and dark biotite mica; found abundantly in mountain ranges and shields worldwide.
