igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salt and pepper (gray, white, black, pink). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: None (fractures), though minerals within it like mica have cleavage.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt and pepper (gray, white, black, pink)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Salt and pepper (gray, white, black, pink). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: None (fractures), though minerals within it like mica have cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Found in continental crust, often appearing in mountain roots. Age can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents. The iconic peaks of Yosemite National Park and the faces on Mount Rushmore are carved from granite.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'mosaic' appearance of distinct mineral grains including glassy quartz, opaque feldspar, and dark flakes of biotite or hornblende. Commonly found in glaciated regions as erratic boulders or in mountain ranges.
