gneiss

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gneiss

gneiss , coarse-grained, imperfectly foliated, or layered, metamorphic rock . Gneiss is characterized by alternating light and dark bands differing in mineral composition and having coarser grains than those of schist. The light bands of gneiss are generally composed of quartz and feldspar . Hornblende, biotite mica, garnet, or graphite commonly form the dark bands. Gneisses result from the metamorphism of many igneous or sedimentary rocks, and are the most common types of rocks found in Precambrian regions. Gneiss is found in New England, the Piedmont, the Adirondacks, and the Rocky Mts. Some gneisses are used as facing stone on buildings.

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gneiss

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

gneiss Metamorphic rock with a distinctive layering or banding. The darker minerals are likely to be hornblende, augite, mica, or dark feldspar. Before metamorphism, gneiss was an igneous rock, possibly a granite.

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	A new source of gem-quality cordierite and corundum in the Laramie Range of southeastern Wyoming. Magazine article from: Rocks & Minerals; 9/1/2002; ; 700+ words ; ...corundum (fig. 1). The cordierite is hosted by quartzofeldspathic gneiss; the corundum is found in nearby chlorite-biotite schist and micakyanite gneiss. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] These gneisses and schists occur near the margin of the Elmers Rock greenstone... Read more
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	Ceud mile failte.(Poem) Magazine article from: The Literary Review; 1/1/2002; ; 180 words ; ...South Australia, Canada and Taynuilt, Paris and the village of Bayble, Buoyed beside heroic tatters Of Lewis or Harris, their gneiss and quartz End-on to force elevens, sparkling. Drowned learner choirs, sea-booted, garbling school hymns, Haunt that white house... Read more
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