granite like rock crossword – All Crossword Answers
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Solutions for "granite like rock crossword" by Letter Count
6 Letters
GNEISS: A common and widely distributed type of metamorphic rock, often characterized by its banded texture and strong resemblance to granite in appearance.
7 Letters
SYENITE: An intrusive igneous rock of similar texture to granite but typically containing little or no quartz. It's often used in building materials.
DIORITE: A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock, darker than granite, consisting essentially of plagioclase feldspar, with amphibole, pyroxene, and biotite. Often confused with granite by non-geologists.
More About "granite like rock crossword"
The clue "granite like rock" often points to geological terms that describe rocks sharing certain characteristics with granite, even if they aren't true granites. Granite itself is a common intrusive igneous rock, known for its granular texture and wide range of colors. When a crossword asks for something "like" granite, it typically refers to rocks that might be visually similar, have a similar formation process (igneous or metamorphic), or are commonly found alongside granite in geological contexts.
Rocks like GNEISS, SYENITE, and DIORITE are excellent examples. Gneiss is metamorphic and can be strikingly similar in appearance due to banding. Syenite and Diorite are igneous rocks, formed from magma, just like granite, and share the coarse-grained texture. These types of clues test your specific knowledge of petrology and your ability to differentiate between rock types based on subtle shared characteristics or common misconceptions.
Understanding the basic differences between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks can be a huge asset in solving such clues. Igneous rocks are formed from cooling magma, sedimentary from deposited sediments, and metamorphic from existing rocks transformed by heat and pressure. While granite is igneous, a "granite like" rock could theoretically belong to any of these categories if it visually or texturally fits the description.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the "Like" Clause: When a clue uses "like [something]," it's rarely asking for the exact thing. Instead, think about synonyms, characteristics, or close relatives. For "granite like," consider other igneous or metamorphic rocks with similar textures or origins.
- Consider Letter Count First: If you have some letters already filled in, use them to narrow down possibilities. If not, start thinking about common rock names of varying lengths that fit the "granite-like" description.
- Leverage Cross-References: Don't just focus on the single clue. Look at intersecting words. Sometimes, a difficult clue becomes obvious when one or two letters are filled in by an easier crossing answer.
- Brush Up on General Knowledge: Crosswords often draw from a wide pool of general knowledge, including science, geography, and history. A basic understanding of geology, for example, is very helpful for clues like this.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "intrusive igneous rock" mean?
An intrusive igneous rock is formed when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface. Granite, syenite, and diorite are all examples of intrusive igneous rocks, known for their typically coarse-grained texture due to slow cooling.
Is GNEISS always "granite like"?
Gneiss often exhibits a banded texture and can resemble granite, especially in its light-colored variants. However, gneiss is a metamorphic rock, meaning it formed from the transformation of pre-existing rocks (which could be igneous like granite, or sedimentary) under intense heat and pressure, differentiating it structurally from granite.
How important is geology knowledge in crosswords?
While not every puzzle requires deep geological expertise, knowledge of common rock types, geological processes, and related terminology can be very beneficial. Many puzzles incorporate natural science themes, and rock-related clues are quite common, ranging from basic to more specific.