Granite
Granite
Granite (/ˈɡræn.ɪt/) is a common type of felsic igneous rock that is granular and phaneritic in texture. Granites can be predominantly white, pink, or gray in color, depending on their mineralogy.
Etymology
The word "granite" comes from the Latin granum, a grain, in reference to the coarse-grained structure of such a crystalline rock.
Composition
Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray, or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.
Formation
Granite forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is made up mostly of quartz, feldspar, and mica, but it can also contain other minerals. These other minerals are what give granite its various colors.
Uses
Granite has been extensively used as a dimension stone and as flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and monuments. It is also used for kitchen countertops due to its high durability and aesthetic qualities.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Granite
- Wikipedia's article - Granite
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