granodiorite

Medium- to coarse-grained rock that is one of the most abundant intrusive rocks. It contains quartz and is distinguished from granite by having more plagioclase feldspar than orthoclase feldspar; its other mineral constituents include hornblende, biotite, and augite. Granodiorite is similar to granite in appearance but darker.

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Granodiorite is an intrusive igneous rock similar to granite, but contains more plagioclase than potassium feldspar. It usually contains abundant biotite mica and hornblende, giving it a darker appearance than true granite. Mica may be present in well-formed hexagonal crystals, and hornblende may appear as needle-like crystals.

On average the upper continental crust has the same composition as granodiorite.

Granodiorite is a plutonic igneous rock, formed by an intrusion of quartz-rich magma, which cools in batholiths or stocks below the Earth's surface. It is usually only exposed at the surface after erosion and uplift have occurred.

The Rosetta Stone was carved out of granodiorite.

External links

• Granodiorite definition at USGS (public domain source)