Most mountains are made of granite.
Granite is a common rock found all over the world. Most mountains are composed of granite, as it is an extremely hard substance. Finding information for a school report is not difficult, as information on granite is abundant. However, it is such a broad subject that narrowing your topic down might pose a challenge.
Minerals in Granite
Granite is a substance composed of several minerals including quartz, feldspar and mica. Your report might focus on aspects of some of these minerals. You might start by providing characteristics of minerals. For instance, minerals must be naturally occurring solids made up of one or more elements. Then, explain in depth some of the different minerals that make up granite. For example, explain that quartz is made of the elements silica and oxygen. You might cover some of the ways quartz is used, such as for making glass. Then, move onto information about feldspar and mica. If you are giving an oral report, try to locate samples of some of these minerals to pass around the class, along with a sample of granite.
The Rock Cycle
Every rock goes through a rock cycle. This is the process by which rocks form, erode and change into different types of rock. Your report should examine each stage of the rock cycle as it applies to granite, starting with magma rising toward the Earth's crust and cooling beneath the surface. Show how erosion might gradually break down the granite, turning it into sedimentary rock. Illustrate how pressure moves some granite toward the Earth's mantle, forming metamorphic rock that eventually melts back into magma. The path that granite follows depends on factors such as weather conditions and terrain. Make a chart showing the different paths granite might take as makes its way back into the Earth's core to be remade.
How Granite Is Made
Granite is an igneous rock, a rock formed from liquid rock called magma. As this magma cools, it hardens into igneous rock. Granite is formed when magma gets trapped under the surface of the Earth's crust and cools slowly, forming its small crystals. You might want to make a chart to go along with your report, showing how granite forms.
Types of Granite
Granite is found on every continent. Granite is a general geological category for this common, igneous rock. However, there are many types of granite. For instance, granite that has deposits of lithium might be termed lithium granite. Research five or six kinds of granite and write a description of these, where they might be found and possible uses. For instance, granite is a common material used to make flooring and counter tops.
Tags: igneous rock, along with, back into, Earth crust, feldspar mica
