Chapter index
Previous section
Previous
Up
Next
Next section
Main
Search

8.1.1 Granite

Granite is a coarse-grained, acid, granular, igneous rock, which always contains quartz and feldspar, as well as other minerals. Granite is composed entirely of interlocking crystals, and is said to be crystalline. Granite is so coarse that different mineral grains can be seen and distinguished from each other, with the darker minerals giving it a 'speckled' appearance. Sometimes during magma intrusion, pieces of the country rock fracture and break off, and are preserved in the magma; and as the magma slowly solidifies these xenolith fragments are amalgamated into the granite body. Granites are generally divided into the following three groups: Alkali Granites, Adamellites, and Granodiorites. Large intrusive igneous bodies, such as batholiths and stocks, are usually comprised of granite. Granite is one of the hardest, most durable, and most abundant rocks on earth.


Images
El Capitan, a massive granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, CA
El Capitan, a massive granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, CA
Earth Science Slides by John S. Shelton
El Capitan, a massive granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, CA 

Quiz
Workbook
Term index