This piece of granite contains crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Click on the image to look closer at the mineral crystals!
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of Corel
Granite Rocks
Granite is a common type of igneous rock. Look at it closely and you can see small white, pink, and black crystals. Some granite has tons of pink crystals and some has more white ones. Click on the picture to take a closer look at granite and find out which minerals those are!
Granite is made deep within the Earth, but you can find it on the surface and even on the tops of some tall mountains. Rocks that were once deep inside the Earth’s crust are moved to the surface by plate tectonics!
Because granite is very hard, it often used to make buildings, kitchen counters, tombstones, and sculptures.
Last modified June 17, 2003 by Lisa Gardiner.
You might also be interested in:
Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. There are many different types of minerals. All of them are solid and all are made of atoms of elements. Minerals can grow even though they are not alive. Most
...moreMany forces change the surface of the Earth over time. The largest force that changes our planet's surface is movement of Earth's outer layer in a process called plate tectonics. As shown in this picture,
...more These types of igneous rocks are made deep underground. In fact, it is possible that below your feet, deep within the Earth there are igneous rocks being made right now! There, hot magma cools very slowly.
...more Spotting minerals is fun! There are many different types of minerals. Each has a different name and special traits. You can learn more about minerals by looking closely at them to understand their special
...moreThis mineral is called quartz! Sometimes it looks white like milk but usually it looks clear like glass, sometimes with a little pink or gray tinge of color. You can find crystals of quartz in many different
...moreMica minerals make some rocks sparkle! Look for them in your igneous and metamorphic rocks. Do they make your rocks sparkle? They break into flat plates because they have cleavage.
...moreThis is a feldspar mineral! Look for it in igneous rocks where it looks like white or pink crystals. You might find it in other types of rocks as well.
...more