Gneiss is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high-grade regional metamorphic processes from pre-existing formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks
From the Middle High German verb gneist (to spark; so called because the rock glitters)
Coarse Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Black, Brown, Pink, Red, White
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Interior Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Cemetery Markers, Jewelry, Tombstones, Used in aquariums
Augen Gneiss, Henderson Gneiss, Lewisian Gneiss, Archean and Proterozoic Gneiss.
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Konark Sun Temple in India, Washington Monument, US
Gneiss is a high grade metamorphic rock i.e. it has been subjected to higher temperatures and pressures than schist. It is formed by the metamorphosis of Gneiss forms from volcanic rock, shale or granitie.
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Hornblade, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz, Quartzite, Silica, Zircon
Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO, MnO, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Biological Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Sea Erosion
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Scratch Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
China, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia
Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo
Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Deposits in Western Continents
Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, USA
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria
Learn more about Properties of Gneiss
What is Gneiss? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Gneiss i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Gneiss include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Gneiss is 125.00 N/mm2. Streak of Gneiss is white while its cleavage is . Luster of Gneiss is dull and its fracture is irregular. Gneiss is translucent to opaque in nature. Know all about Gneiss, What is Gneiss, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.
Know about Composition of Gneiss
What is Gneiss composed of? Get to know about composition of Gneiss here. Gneiss definition gives information about the Formation of Gneiss and its composition.The composition of Gneiss can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Gneiss rock includes Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Hornblade, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz, Quartzite, Silica, Zircon and The compound content of Gneiss rock includes Aluminium Oxide, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO, MnO, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Gneiss rock in next section.