Granites

© Craven & Pendle Geological Society

Coedana Granite: Anglesey

Shap Granite: Cumbria

Summary:
Usually granite is pink or greyish coloured, medium to coarse-grained, evenly granular rock.  It is the lightest coloured variety of intrusive rock.  The grains are usually white/pink orthoclase feldspars, with lesser amounts of white/grey plagioclase feldspar, and quartz.  Small amounts of dark biotite and / or hornblende are usually present and best identified with the use of a hand-lens.

Large volumes of granitic rocks are associated with active continental margins where they form enormous batholiths.

Recommended sites:
In the north - Eskdale, Skiddaw and Shap in the Lake District.
In the south - Land's End and Dartmoor.