answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Exposed granite will weather and erode. The final product of the weathering and erosion of granite are deposits of silica sand. The sand may be deposited by the wind (in dunes), or in shallow marine environments. As these deposits are added to over time, they are compacted and cemented, forming sandstone. Under conditions of intense heat and pressure from depth of burial, or from pressures from tectonic plate collisions, the individual quartz sand grains in the sandstone can recrystallize to form larger interlocking crystalline structures. This is known as metamorphosis, and the new rock that is formed from the sandstone is quartzite, a metamorphic rock.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

5mo ago

Granite becomes quartzite through a process called metamorphism. This involves the recrystallization of the minerals in the granite due to high pressure and temperature, transforming it into a more compact, harder rock with a higher quartz content. The original minerals in the granite, such as feldspar and mica, will recrystallize into quartz grains, giving quartzite its characteristic appearance and properties.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Explain how granite becomes quartzite?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Earth Science

Describe how the granite of a mountain could change first into sandstone and then into quartzite?

Weathering causes the granite to break down into small particles - sand. The sand becomes buried and compacts into sandstone. If the sandstone continues to be buried and comes into close contact with high heat, such as magma, it can be turned into quartzite.


How the granite of a mountain could change first into sandstone and then quartzite?

Granite can change into sandstone through weathering and erosion processes, where the minerals in the granite are broken down into smaller grains and cemented together to form sandstone. Sandstone can then be subjected to heat and pressure, transforming it into quartzite through the process of metamorphism. This involves recrystallization of the minerals within the sandstone, mainly quartz, into a more tightly interlocking crystalline structure, resulting in the formation of quartzite.


What is the protolith of a quartzite?

The protolith of a quartzite is a sedimentary rock called sandstone. Quartzite forms when sandstone undergoes metamorphism, typically due to high heat and pressure, causing the quartz grains in the sandstone to recrystallize and merge together.


What are the most common rocks in North Carolina?

Some of the most common rocks in North Carolina include granite, gneiss, schist, and quartzite. These rocks can be found in various regions of the state, with granite being particularly abundant in the Piedmont region.


What metamorphic is equivalent to Granite?

Granulite is the metamorphic equivalent to granite, formed from the metamorphism of sedimentary and igneous rocks at high pressures and temperatures. Both granite and granulite have similar mineral compositions, with granulite typically exhibiting coarser grain size due to the intense heat and pressure during metamorphism.

Related questions

Is granite or quartzite harder?

Quartzite is harder than granite. Quartzite is a natural stone that is formed from sandstone and quartz crystals, making it more resistant to scratching and etching compared to granite. However, both stones are durable options for countertops and other surfaces.


How are Quartzite Granite and Sandstone related?

Quartzite, granite, and sandstone are all types of sedimentary or metamorphic rocks. They are related in the sense that they are formed from different processes involving the compression and transformation of sediments. Quartzite is derived from sandstone through intense heat and pressure, while granite is an igneous rock that forms from the cooling and solidification of molten magma. Sandstone, on the other hand, is formed from sand particles that are compacted and cemented together over time.


What is an IGNEOUS rock found in Pennsylvania limestone granite sandstorm or quartzite?

granite


What does quartzite morph into?

It doesn't. Granite is an igneous rock, not metamorphic. However, quartzite is metamorphic and is made from sandstone.


Describe how the granite of a mountain could change first into sandstone and then into quartzite?

Weathering causes the granite to break down into small particles - sand. The sand becomes buried and compacts into sandstone. If the sandstone continues to be buried and comes into close contact with high heat, such as magma, it can be turned into quartzite.


What is the rock that has high silica and light colored other than granite?

quartzite


Why does granite or quartzite remain in boulder-sized pieces longer than older rocks that do not contain quartz?

Quartz is a mineral that is resistant to weathering due to its chemistry and crystalline structure. Granite will weather faster than quartzite because granite is only partially quartz in composition.


How the granite of a mountain could change first into sandstone and then quartzite?

Granite can change into sandstone through weathering and erosion processes, where the minerals in the granite are broken down into smaller grains and cemented together to form sandstone. Sandstone can then be subjected to heat and pressure, transforming it into quartzite through the process of metamorphism. This involves recrystallization of the minerals within the sandstone, mainly quartz, into a more tightly interlocking crystalline structure, resulting in the formation of quartzite.


What is the protolith of a quartzite?

The protolith of a quartzite is a sedimentary rock called sandstone. Quartzite forms when sandstone undergoes metamorphism, typically due to high heat and pressure, causing the quartz grains in the sandstone to recrystallize and merge together.


What rock types are mineral rocks?

Granite, quartzite, marble, metaconglomerate, and many more rocks just to name a few. :-D


What types of artwork were contained in Egyptian?

Sculptures of the gods and goddesses that where usually mad out of granite, quartzite, basalt, diorite, schist or limestone.


How does change granite into sandstone?

Granite becomes Sandstone when water erodes the Granite on Earths surface, and then deposits the sediment.