Is Granite A Sedimentary Rocks

But there has been a famous debate over the years because extreme metamorphosis of crustal sediments can produce melts of rocks that are also granite.

Is granite a sedimentary rocks.

In general terms granite is an igneous rock. Granite is an example of a felsic intrusive rock while gabbro and diabase are examples of mafic intrusive rocks. Sedimentary rocks are formed on or near the earth s surface in contrast to metamorphic and igneous rocks which are formed deep within the earth. If the granite is exposed on the earth s surface it is caused by the rise of granite rocks and the erosion of the sedimentary rocks above it.

Under sedimentary rocks granites metamorphosed granites or related rocks are usually below this cover. Gneiss however is distinguished from granite by its strong fabric and alternating dark and light colored bands. The most important geological processes that lead to the creation of sedimentary rocks are erosion weathering dissolution precipitation and lithification. They are later known as basement rocks.

Granite containing rock is widely distributed throughout the continental crust. A rock with a similar composition and appearance as granite gneiss can form through long and intense metamorphism of sedimentary paragneiss or igneous rocks orthogneiss. Definitions used for granite often lead to communication. Sedimentary rocks are formed by the gradual consolidation of organic or inorganic solid fragments carried by suspended in or dropped by wind water or ice and deposited horizontally in layers.

Granite belongs to the intrusive category of igneous rock which means it formed below the earth s surface as magma slowly cooled and crystallized. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock that is worn away by dirt and dust rubbing against it in the wind. Outcrops of granite tend to form tors domes or bornhardts and rounded massifs. It is the most abundant basement rock that underlies the relatively thin sedimentary veneer of the continents.

Much of it was intruded during the precambrian age. If they are today exposed at the surface the only way that could happen is if the granite rocks were uplifted and the overlying sedimentary rocks were eroded.