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Esmond Igneous Suite - granite gneiss

Esmond Igneous Suite - granite gneiss - Pale-gray to pale-pink, fine- to medium-grained granite gneiss, rarely with porphyroclasts of microcline/orthoclase. Composition ranges from quartz monzonite to granite. Composed of sodic plagioclase, quartz, microcline, biotite, opaque minerals; minor muscovite common, garnet more rare; accessory apatite and zircon; sphene and hornblende present in some rocks; secondary chlorite. Typically massive, but with strong penetrative foliation and lineation defined by major minerals. Commonly associated with, and in part gradational into, augen gneiss. Includes rock mapped formerly in part as Ponaganset Granite Gneiss, Scituate Granite Gneiss, Ten Rod Granite Gneiss, and Hope Valley Alaskite Gneiss.
StateRhode Island
NameEsmond Igneous Suite - granite gneiss
Geologic ageLate Proterozoic
Original map labelZegg
CommentsPart of Esmond-Dedham Subterrane (West Bay Area)
Primary rock typegranitic gneiss
Secondary rock typeaugen gneiss
Other rock types
Lithologic constituents
Major
Metamorphic > Gneissgranite gneiss - Pale-gray to pale-pink, fine- to medium-grained granite gneiss, rarely with porphyroclasts of microcline/orthoclase. Composition ranges from quartz monzonite to granite. Composed of sodic plagioclase, quartz, microcline, biotite, opaque minerals; minor muscovite common, garnet more rare; accessory apatite and zircon; sphene and hornblende present in some rocks; secondary chlorite. Typically massive, but with strong penetrative foliation and lineation defined by major minerals. Commonly associated with, and in part gradational into, augen gneiss.
Map references
Hermes, O.D., Gromet, L.P., Murray, D.P., Hamidzada, N.A., 1994, Geologic Map of Rhode Island, file name = bedrock_shp.zip (870kb) obtained from Rhode Island Geographic Information System, http://www.edc.uri.edu/rigis-spf/Statewide/state.html#geology , shapefile or interchange file, scale 1/100,000.
Unit references
Hermes, O.D. (comp.), Gromet, L.P. (comp.), Murray, D.P. (comp.), Hamidzada, N.A., Skehan, J.W., and Mosher, S., 1994, Bedrock geologic map of Rhode Island: Rhode Island Map Series No. 1, Kingston, Rhode Island, scale 1: 100,000.
Geographic coverageKent - Providence - Washington

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URL: http://mrdata.usgs.gov/geology/state/sgmc-unit.php?unit=RIZegg;0
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