Granite

Granite is one of the best known rocks. The Czech name “žula” is derived from German word “Sohle”, which means base or basement. These greyish, yellowish or reddish rocks are composed mainly of quartz, mica, and feldspars. All these minerals form grains, which was adapted to the name of the rock – granite. Granites are the most common rocks of the continental crust and form a significant portion of the territory of Czech Republic. 

Granites are plutonic igneous rocks those were emplaced and cooled at depth. Granitic magma usually forms during collision of continental crust, when part of the Earth´s crust is pushed to greater depths and molten. The magma in the form of a large balloon rises up along tectonic faults and cools and solidifies at the depth of several kilometres below the surface forming large bodies – plutons and batholiths. The Karlovy Vary batholith comprises granites in western Krušné hory Mts. and Slavkovský les Highland was formed at the end of Carboniferous and has a lenticular shape up to 25 wide extending to the depth of about 10 km!

Granites of this region are traditionally subdivided to older – so called Horky granites and younger – so called Krušné hory granites. The younger granites are associated with famous tin deposits. Granite has many uses in constructions and as a decoration stone.

Sample donated by the company ABERO, Ltd.