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Granite sample
Samples
Conceptually similar
Gneiss samples
Plagioclase sample
Quartz samples
Obsidian samples
Quartzite sample
Schist sample
Phyllite samples
Marble sample
Porphyry
Samples of intrusive igneous rocks
Slate sample
Pyrite sample
Conglomerate samples
Clastic sandstone samples
Pegmatite
Hematite sample
Oolite samples
Rhyolite sample
Chalcopyrite sample
Hornfels sample
Granite sample
Granite is a hard, phaneritic, felsic, and intrusive igneous rock characterized by a holocrystalline texture of equigranular coarse mafic and felsic minerals creating a mosaic of white, gray, black, and pink grains. Its composition typically has amphiboles and micas, such as biotite, but is usually dominated by quartz and feldspars like this sample. Granites are sometimes referred to as a "salt and pepper" rock due to light-coloured felsic minerals, such as the pinkish potassium feldspar, milky white plagioclase, and vitreous quartz comprising the majority of this granite, while the dark mafics are dispersed and only comprise about 15-20% of the rock. Though these minerals are coarse and can be seen with the naked eye, a hand-lens can be used to further aid in identifying its entire composition. Its coarse, equigranular grains indicate a slow crystallization below the Earth's surface where the variety of minerals crystallized at the same rate. Though granites form beneath the surface, they are known to be very common and abundant in the continental crust with surface exposure due to uplift or erosion of overlying sedimentary cover. Granite is one of the most well-known igneous rocks due to its abundance, resistance to weathering, giving it multiple purposes in household design and aggregate uses.
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Creator
Dolphin, Glenn
Date
2018-09-06
Country
Canada
Province
Alberta
Municipality
City of Calgary
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Permitted uses are outlined in License and Usage Rights. Usage Restrictions can only be waived by the copyright holder. Add to cart and make a request if you have any questions.
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License URL
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Copyright Status
In copyright
Attribution
"Granite sample", , (CU2STO15490) by , is used under . Courtesy of Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.
Unique identifier:
CU2STO15490
Type:
Geoscience