Question

What is the difference between granite and rhyolite?

1) granite has higher concentrations of iron and magnesium than rhyolite
2) granite is composed of coarser crystals than rhyolite
3) granite forms at the surface of the Earth from magmas that cool quickly, whereas rhyolite forms at considerable depths below the surface of the Earth from magmas that cool slowly
4) granite forms in the upper oceanic crust whereas rhyolite forms in the lower oceanic crust
5) granite is composed of different minerals than rhyolite

Answer 1

Rhyolite and granite are igneous rocks that have similar chemistry and mineralogy but differ in texture, formation, and color.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rhyolite and granite are both igneous rocks with similar chemistry and mineralogy. However, they differ in several ways:

2. Rhyolite is composed of fine crystals, less than 1 mm in size, while granite has coarser crystals.
4. Rhyolite forms from high-viscosity lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, while granite forms from magmas that cool slowly at considerable depths below the surface.
6. Rhyolite is often light gray to pinkish to somewhat reddish in color, while granite can vary in color depending on its mineral composition.

These differences in texture, formation, and color give rhyolite and granite distinct characteristics.