Interesting Facts About Granite Igneous Rock
Granite is an igneous rock with grains large enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Interesting facts about granite igneous rock. Granite is usually a light coloured coarse grained igneous rock consisting mostly of quartz orthoclase feldspar sodium rich plagioclase feldspar and micas. Interesting igneous rocks facts. Granite is an igneous rock one that is formed by the cooling and solidification of magma. But here are a few fun facts that you might not have known about the granite that s in your kitchen or bath.
There are two types of igneous rock. Granite does not simply appear naturally as a slab. The stone is cut from rock beneath the earth s surface. Sometimes igneous rocks take a very long time to form.
In these instances the rocks are more grainy in texture and form granite deposits or a rock called gabbro. Here s a short compilation of granite rock facts some of which are interesting enough to leave you amazed. Everyone knows that granite is one of the most sought after materials for bathroom remodels and kitchen countertops. When magma rises to the surface of the earth and hardens it forms extrusive igneous rock.
Its radioactive nature an entire city built from this rock type and its exceptional strength which makes it the most preferred rock. Granite fun facts 1. This happens when the rock doesn t fully escape the heat of the magma but the temperatures are too cool to prevent the magma from being in liquid form. Igneous rock is also formed when magma cools and crystallises into a rock formation.
Igneous rocks are formed in molten magma. Quartz is usually between 10 and 50 percent of the light colored minerals in granite which give granite its characteristic sparkle with the remaining minerals consisting of feldspars. Extrusive igneous rock tends to be glassy in texture because their formation occurs very rapidly. Examples of extrusive igneous rock include pumice and basalt.
There are also minor amounts of mica amphiboles and other minerals. Intriguing facts about granite rock you can t afford to miss. Granite is the oldest igneous rock in the world believed to have been formed as long as 300 million. Basalt extrusive rock and granite intrusive rock are two of the most common igneous rock types on the earth and cover most of the igneous deposits on the planet usually the rocks in deep ocean floors are known to be basaltic in nature while the rocks in the continental mass are granitic in nature.
One type of igneous rock is formed in the surface of the earth while the other type of rock forms on the crust because of the cool air. Owing to their interlocked crystals igneous rocks boast of a strong and stable structure. Due to its mineral composition granite may appear as red pink gray or white with dark mineral. Find interesting information and a range of examples that help explain what igneous rocks are and what makes them different from other kinds of rocks.
Granite is a common rock that contains at least 25 quartz and is sometimes used in construction because of its strength. The following are 15 interesting facts about granite. Granite is an igneous rock. Enjoy our igneous rock facts for kids.