Is Granite A Volcanic Rock

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock which means it was formed in place during the cooling of molten rock.

Is granite a volcanic rock.

Generally the slower the molten rock cooled the larger it s mineral crystals with k feldspar megacrysts forming in special circumstances greater than 5cm. Plutonic rocks are contrasted with volcanic rocks which form at the surface. The rocks made from the cooling and solidifying of molten rock are called igneous rocks and in this lesson you will learn about the two categories of igneous rocks volcanic and plutonic rocks. Perhaps the best known phaneritic rock is granite.

Strictly speaking granite is an igneous rock with between 20 and 60 quartz by volume and at least 35 of the total feldspar consisting of alkali feldspar although commonly the term granite is used to refer to a wider range of coarse grained igneous rocks containing quartz and feldspar. Intrusive rocks also called plutonic rocks cool slowly without ever reaching the surface. Applying this definition requires the mineral identification and quantification abilities of a competent geologist. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock with high silica content.

Volcanic rocks are named according to both their chemical composition and texture. Granite tends to form at continental subduction zones where oceanic crust is subducting beneath continental crust. This surface is known as a phaneritic texture. They have large crystals that are usually visible without a microscope.

It is not considered a volcanic rock but a plutonic rock. Granite is a plutonic rock in which quartz makes up between 10 and 50 percent of the felsic components and alkali feldspar accounts for 65 to 90 percent of the total feldspar content. The smooth polished surface of granite is ideal for crushing spices and foods. Chefs also like the weight of the granite molcajete because it does not slide around against the pressure of the tejolote.

Granite is a favorable material for molcajetes because of its durability. Granite is also beautiful and will last as long as it is well cared for. Basalt is a very common volcanic rock with low silica content.