igneous
Granite
Felsic Plutonic Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, typically composed of white, pink, or gray groundmass with dark spots of biotite or amphibole. Luster is vitreous to dull. Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, typically composed of white, pink, or gray groundmass with dark spots of biotite or amphibole. Luster is vitreous to dull. Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly associated with continental crust.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, monuments, and decorative paving stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock type in Earth's continental crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, and black interlocking mineral crystals. Found globally in continental shields and intrusive mountain roots.
