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  • Granite vs. Gabbro: Key Differences & Properties
    Granite and gabbro are both intrusive igneous rocks, meaning they formed from magma that cooled and solidified below the Earth's surface. They are both very hard and durable, and they are often used as building materials. However, there are some key differences between the two rocks.

    Composition

    * Granite is composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, and mica.

    * Gabbro is composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals (such as pyroxene and amphibole).

    Color

    * Granite is typically light-colored, ranging from pink to gray to white.

    * Gabbro is typically dark-colored, ranging from black to dark green.

    Texture

    * Granite has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. This means that the individual crystals in the rock are visible to the naked eye.

    * Gabbro has a fine- to medium-grained texture. This means that the individual crystals in the rock are not visible to the naked eye.

    Uses

    * Granite is often used as a building material, for flooring, countertops, and tiles.

    * Gabbro is often used as a building material, for road construction, and for riprap (a type of erosion control material).

    Here is a table summarizing the key differences between granite and gabbro:

    | Feature | Granite | Gabbro |

    |---|---|---|

    | Composition | Quartz, feldspar, mica | Plagioclase feldspar, ferromagnesian minerals |

    | Color | Light-colored (pink, gray, white) | Dark-colored (black, dark green) |

    | Texture | Medium- to coarse-grained | Fine- to medium-grained |

    | Uses | Building material, flooring, countertops, tiles | Building material, road construction, riprap |

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