igneous
Granodiorite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Light gray to pinkish-gray with speckled dark grains; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.7-2.8
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Light gray to pinkish-gray with speckled dark grains
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Light gray to pinkish-gray with speckled dark grains; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.7-2.8
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface, typically at convergent plate boundaries, dating across various geological eras from Precambrian to Cenozoic.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, as dimension stone, architectural facings, and road aggregate.
Geological facts
Granodiorite is chemically intermediate between granite and diorite. Famous historical examples include the Rosetta Stone, which is made of granodiorite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its coarse-grained texture containing visible quartz, plagioclase feldspar, and dark minerals like biotite or hornblende. Commonly found in major batholiths worldwide, such as the Sierra Nevada.
