Graphic texture

Graphic granite from the Einerkilen uranium mine in Evje, Norway.

Graphic granite from the Einerkilen uranium mine in Evje, Norway.

Graphic granite, southwestern Kola Peninsula, Russia

Graphic texture. Photo: Eurico Zimbres
The feldspar is white and roughly 10 x 10 centimeters. Quartz are the little cuneiform and gray ones

Graphic texture is commonly created by exsolution and devitrification and immiscibility processes in igneous rocks. It is called 'graphic' because the exsolved or devitrified minerals form lines and shapes which are reminiscent of writing.

Graphic granite is a leucocratic granitic rock consisting of alkali feldspar with exsolved quartz typically forming a distinctive repetitive pattern sometimes resembling cuneiform writing. Experiments have shown that graphic granite texture is derived from large single crystals of quartz and feldspar interleaving to create the cuneiform illusion.

Exsolved magnetite has graphic texture, as do some exsolution textures of pyroxene, pyrite feldspar and rarely other minerals.

See also

• List of rock textures
• Rock microstructure#Graphic and other intergrowth textures
• Peperite

External links

• Gallery of graphic granites