How Does Granite Change Into Sandstone?
Granite changes into sandstone by means of weathering and erosion. Through the passage of time, fragments of granite are broken down into smaller pieces, or sediments, which are transported and deposited at the bottom of the oceans or rivers. These particles form layers of sand and pebbles that undergo compaction and cementation to create sandstone.
Rocks are the most prevalent physical features on Earth. They are mainly classified into three types: igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Rocks are made up of different types of minerals that harden and form crystalline structures. Three examples of rocks that have the same primary composition, but vary in classification and appearance are gneiss, granite and sandstone. Gneiss is a metamorphic rock, granite is an igneous rock and sandstone is a sedimentary rock. These rocks primarily consist of quartz, feldspar and mica.
All rocks undergo a series of processes called the rock cycle, where one type of rock changes into another. The mineral constituents that create these rocks get recycled over time.
Granite found on the surface of the planet is subjected to different weathering agents. Wind, water and ice can cause the breakdown of granite into tiny particles known as sediment. The granite sediments are then carried by the same agents to other places, usually the bottom of water bodies. The sediments stratify, condense and are cemented by another mineral, which is typically calcite.
