Granulite
“Forged in Earth's deep crust”
Metamorphic
Granulite forms under extreme temperatures (over 700°C) and high pressures deep in the lower continental crust. It represents some of the most intensely metamorphosed rocks on Earth and gives geologists a window into conditions 20-40 km below the surface.
Composition
pyroxene, garnet, feldspar, quartz, sillimanite
Where Found
Southern India, Sri Lanka, Limpopo Belt (Southern Africa), Adirondack Mountains (USA), Scandinavia
Mohs Hardness
6-7
Fun Fact
Granulite terranes are among the oldest exposed rocks on Earth, with some in Greenland dating back over 3.8 billion years.
Test Your Knowledge
What distinctive feature of granulite distinguishes it from other high-grade metamorphic rocks?
Related Specimens
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