Granite Rock Facts

Granite is an igneous rock, characterized by a hard coarse grained surface, found in abundance on this planet. It contains several minerals, most prominent ones being quartz and feldspars, all of which are locked into each other, making granite immensely strong as well as durable. Hence is the first choice in the field of construction. Other than its strength, there are several granite rock facts, which make it one of the most fascinating object found on our planet.

How is Granite Formed?
Post a volcanic eruption, the molten rock or magma seeps in between the other rocks in the Earth's crust. The magma, referred to as lava when in the interior of the Earth, is formed due to melting of various types of metamorphic rocks. As it cools, the magma tends to crystallize owing to its high silicate content and leads to formation of granite rock. The entire process of granite rock formation is known to take millions of years.

Granite Etymology
One of the most interesting facts about granite rocks is its etymology. The word granite is derived from the Latin word - granum, meaning grains. The rock is referred to as granite owing to its coarse grained structure.

Granite Rock: Types of Igneous Rocks
Although basalt and granite rocks are types of igneous rock they have a drastic difference in composition. An interesting piece of granite rock information is that some granite rocks existing today have been there since the geologic periods, which makes them the oldest rocks on the planet.

Granite Rock Composition and Density
Silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide together constitute more than 85 percent of a granite rock composition. Other chemicals include sodium oxide, potassium oxide, etc. Its average density is 2.75 g/cm³. The molecular structure of the rock makes it very rigid and stable. One of the most interesting granite rock facts is its color. The color, which varies from pink to various shades of black, is largely dependent on the presence of minerals in it.

Granite Stone Occurrence
Granite is found in abundance, all over the planet, but it is only restricted to Earth's crust, where it had seeped in during the geologic periods. It is assumed to be the most abundant basement rock, lying beneath a thin layer of sedimentary rocks. Owing to its presence in bulk, commercial granite harvesting is a flourishing business in various countries of the world including India, Brazil and United States.

Other Interesting Granite Rock Facts
When compared with marble, granite is much more harder and hence less vulnerable to flaw lines and pitting. Granite, like most of the other natural stones, is radioactive indeed. Although the uranium count of granite rocks, exceeds that of several other natural stones, it doesn't pose any health risk to humans coming into contact.

Granite Rock Uses
Being strong and durable, granite rock has been used for construction since several centuries. But its use is not just restricted to construction. It also sports superb bacteria resistance qualities, second only to stainless steel. Granite rocks, when polished, become scratch proof and stain resistant. Being easy to clean and heat resistance, granite rock is a popular choice for kitchen countertops. Other than construction and interiors, granite rock is also used as to create sculptures (Mount Rushmore being the best example). It is also a delight for amateur as well as professional rock climbers.

These were some of the most prominent granite rock facts which support the claim that granite is one of the most strong, durable, abundantly found and vastly used rock in the world. It doesn't just add to the durability of the structure, but also contributes to its versatility and grace. No wonder, it's the first choice for many people across the world when it comes to building a house or decorating the interiors.