Granite

Felsic intrusive igneous rock

A coarse-grained rock made as magma cooled slowly underground.

Canada

Sample content • provenance shown broadly for demonstration

At a glance

Fast Facts

igneous

quartz + feldspar + mica

Slow cooling of silica-rich magma below ground

Canada

Read the evidence

The Story

Granite begins as molten rock deep in the crust. Because it cools slowly underground, quartz, feldspar and mica have time to grow into crystals large enough to see.

Stefan's field note

Look closely at a piece of granite. You can often see several different minerals without a microscope.

Make the connection

Where Does It Fit?

Starting material→Slow cooling of silica-rich magma below ground→Granite