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.
State Rhode Island
Name Esmond Igneous Suite - granite gneiss
Geologic age Late Proterozoic
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.
Comments Part of Esmond-Dedham Subterrane (West Bay Area)
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.

NGMDB product
Counties Kent - Providence - Washington