Question

where does the quartz in granite typically end up?

Answer 1

First to find out where it ends up, let's go through where it comes from.

So firstly, Where does quartz come from?

A large portion of quartz is igneous, meaning that it crystallized from the magmatic activity that first built the continental shield ("craton") of continents. Over time, further igneous intrusions, frequently containing quartz, were added to the early continents. By being chemically weathered away from these igneous rocks, quartz becomes rounded loose grains that collect as sediments and can transform into sandstones. But since certain igneous rocks undergo metamorphism before being eroded, some sandstones have quartz grains that may be used to determine whether the rock is volcanic or metamorphic. Some quartz does arise during metamorphism as a result of mineral processes. Due to the fact that many of these reactions occur at fairly high pressure and temperature, this accounts for just a small portion of the quartz that we observe in rocks exposed at the Earth's surface. The only places where these rocks have been brought close to the Earth's surface (typically by mountain formation) and if the rocks that once covered them have been worn are the places where we can see the quartz thus created. Even though quartz is only weakly soluble, it can be leached (dissolved by acidic water) from igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rocks, especially when they are deeply buried. This leached quartz can then be transported to new locations by hot waters that circulate through bedrock in regions with active natural geothermal systems. Quartz is referred to as hydrothermal rather than igneous or magmatic when it develops from subterranean water at temperatures between 100 and 300 degrees C. Quartz is referred to as "diagenetic" when it precipitates from water in the pore space of sedimentary rocks (at a temperature lower than 100 degrees C), and it frequently acts as the "cement" that holds quartz grains in sandstones together.

Now that have reviewed that, let's take a look at granite.

Secondly, how is granite formed?

A rock called granite is described as being made up of a variety of interlocking crystals of the minerals quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, pyroxene, hornblende, and mica. This definition need more clarification and development. To start, all of the above minerals—aside from quartz—are really mineral families, each member of which may or may not be present in a sample of granite. The definition of this rock does not identify the manner of origin, which is a second important distinction from the definitions of the majority of other rocks (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.).

So to answer the question, where does the quartz in granite typically end up?

They end up as sand (or single grains of sand - sediments) in rivers, dunes, and beaches.

Extra definitions:

Dune:

A a sand hill or sand ridge formed by the wind, usually in desert regions or near lakes and oceans.

Quartz:

One of the commonest minerals, silicon dioxide, SiO2, having many varieties that differ in color, luster, etc. and occurring either in masses (as agate, bloodstone, chalcedony, jasper, etc.) or in crystals (as rock crystal, amethyst, citrine, etc.): the chief constituent of sand and sandstone, and an important constituents of many other rocks. It is piezoelectric and used to control the frequencies of radio transmitters.

Granite:

A coarse-grained igneous rock composed chiefly of orthoclase and albite feldspars and of quartz, usually with lesser amounts of one or more other minerals, as mica, hornblende, or augite.

Rivers:

A natural stream of water of fairly large size flowing in a definite course or channel or series of diverging and converging channels.

Sediment:

Mineral or organic matter deposited by water, air, or ice.

Learn more about the geology of rocks:

https://brainly.com/question/15050356

https://brainly.com/question/25900538

Answer 2

The place where the quartz in granite usually ends up is as sand in rivers, dunes, etc.

What is Granite?

This refers to the igneous rock that is made up of quartz, etc, and is formed by magma.

Hence, we can see that the quartz in granite usually ends up as little clay minerals and is deposited in the seas, rivers, lakes, etc. This is mostly because it does not weather.

Read more about granite and quartz here:

https://brainly.com/question/14797104

#SPJ11