We are all surrounded by various natural stone materials in many forms, whether as flooring, wall cladding, countertops, or paving. You must also have heard about granite, a natural stone renowned for its many benefits. But even though we see those stones almost every day, have you ever thought about how granite is formed? What are the things behind its formation, and how can nature create such a durable stone?
If yes, then you are at the right place because here at MPG Stone, we are passionate about natural stones and their beauty, along with the enduring strength they own. And when they talk about granite specifically, we can see that it is a magnificent stone that graces many application areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and even landscapes, that too across the whole US.
In this blog, we will learn about how granite is formed and what minerals help in its formation in a step-by-step process. So, let’s begin our learning.
What is granite?
Before we roll down our search and learning into the steps of granite formation, let’s begin with understanding what granite is exactly. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock that can be defined as rock that is formed from the solidification and slow cooling of magma. This process usually occurs deep beneath the earth’s surface.
And when you are learning about how granite is formed, you should also know that the distinctive speckled appearance on its surface is the result of various minerals such as feldspar, mica, and primarily quartz.
Granite formation goes with a series of step-by-step processes that take place under the earth’s crust, which are as follows:
Step 1: Magma Genesis—The Molten Heart of the Earth
Magma creation: Deep within the lower crust and the mantle of the earth, the intense pressure and heat over there cause the existing rocks to melt with time, resulting in melted magma formation.
What does this magma include? It is not just a simple formation but is a complex mixture of various elements, which includes mineral crystals, molten rocks, and dissolved gases.
The Composition’s Influence: The composition, out of which magma has been created, highly influences its chemical makeup, which in turn results in different types of granite formation from absolute black granite to colonial white granite.
Step 2: Magma Ascent—The Slow Climb
The beginning of Rise: Magma is usually less dense than the other rocks that surround it, which makes it rise towards the earth’s crust gradually.
Time taken for the rise: This ascent is a slow and gradual process of rise that can often take a million years to take place, like marble slabs, which requires the same time to form.
Further Interaction: As the magma rises onto the earth’s surface, it further interacts with other surrounding rocks on the surface; sometimes it melts and gets involved in them as well, which further alters its overall composition.
Step 3: Intrusive Crystallization—The Birth of Granite
The making of plutons: When the magma reaches the point where it begins to intrude in the existing rock layers that make it stop from rising further, it begins to form large underground chambers that are also known as plutons.
Slow cooling of magma: Due to the insulating effect that the surrounding rocks of the magma have, it begins to cool down between these plutons, but at a very slow pace. The slow cooling works as an essential part, as it is the reason behind the formation of large and visible crystals on the granite’s surface, which are the main characteristics of the stone as well.
The Solidification Process: Now is the time of the solidification of different chemical components in the magma that solidifies at different temperatures, allowing space for mineral differentiation. which is as follows:
- Quartz: Quartz slabs is a natural material that is also available as an engineered stone for projects. It crystallizes at the very last and fills the remaining spaces on the surface.
- Feldspar: This mineral crystallizes in various forms (like orthoclase and plagioclase), and this is how granite is formed, slowly and gradually.
- Micas: It crystallizes in its form and adds its differentiating light and dark flakes onto the surface (like biotite and muscovite), like the one that you can also see in California gold slate stone.
Step 4: Erosion and Uplift—Revealing the Hidden Treasure
Effect of forces of erosion: Over the time of millions of years, wind, water, and ice wear away the overlying rock layers from the granite’s surface.
Uplifting of land: Tectonic plates on the earth’s move also helps in uplifting the land that further exposes the granite formation on the earth’s surface.
Ready for quarrying: Now, these exposed formations of granite stone that we can often see in the form of rocky outcrops and mountains are then quarried and extracted to be used for difficult applications, from interior flooring to outdoor paving.
Step 5: Quarrying and Processing—From Earth to Elegance
Extraction of blocks: And now at MPG Stone, we carefully select and extract the granite blocks out of these quarries.
Creation of slabs: The blocks that we have quarried are then transported to our facilities, where they are cut, shaped, and then polished when needed to create the beautiful granite slabs and tiles you use in your residential and commercial projects.
Finishing: In the end, the process of finishing begins where our skilled artisans ensure to enhance the natural beauty of granite and other natural stones, such as sandstone, to ensure that they exude a high-quality finish.
How Granite Is Formed: Key Factors Influencing It
- Magma Composition: The degree to which the rock will melt and the original rock composition is what influences how the final type of granite will be created.
- Cooling Rate: While learning how granite is formed, you must be aware of the fact that slow cooling plays an essential part in the formation of large crystals.
- Pressure and Temperature: High temperature is needed along with high pressure to form the magma and make it move, like the one we needed while creating porcelain slabs.
- Time: While we learn how granite is formed, we get to know that time plays a very crucial role, as it takes around millions of years for granite to form and turn into a beautiful stone.
Why Granite is a Preferred Choice
Durability matched by none
Granite has an interlocking crystal structure, which makes it an incredibly strong material with high resistance to normal wear and tear that can be used in paving as black granite cobblestone paving.
Aesthetics Offering Sophistication
You know how granite is formed; it makes a stone with a look that is one of a kind, with unique patterns that add a touch of elegance and sophistication in any area.
High resistance to heat
Granite is one of the most popular choices for kitchen countertops, along with quartz, as they have a high melting point, which you have already learned in the process of how granite is formed.
Ease in Maintenance
Granite, being a natural stone, does require sealing, but after that, it becomes easy to clean and maintain, making it a popular choice for outdoor paving and wall claddings as well.
The Final Note
The journey of granite formation that takes place under the earth’s crust from magma to granite slabs is a long one that usually takes millions of years to finally result in the beautiful slab we use in our homes and commercial spaces.
It is the testament to the power and the beauty that take place deep into the crust of the earth, coming up slowly while mixing with other minerals through the process, and that’s how granite is formed through natural processes along the way.
At MPG Stone, we are proud to bring to you this incredible creature of nature. We hope that this guide has given you the detailed process of the formation of granite slabs.
So if you have come this far and are looking for granite slabs for your spaces, then browse our extensive collection today and feel free to contact us in case you require any help; we will be more than happy to help you choose the perfect natural stone for your project.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Purnima Kaushik is a seasoned content writer and editor with over a decade of experience in the stone and real estate industries. As a leading voice at MPG Stone, she shares insights on installment processes, project insights, design guides, and much more
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