Monzonite

Monzonite

Igneous rock
Monzonite specimen from Rock Library (NASA JPL)
Composition
Mostly plagioclase and alkali feldspar

Monzonite is an igneous intrusive rock. It is composed of approximately equal amounts of plagioclase and alkali feldspar, with less than 5% quartz by weight. It may contain minor amounts of hornblende, biotite and other minerals. If quartz constitutes greater than 5%, the rock is termed a quartz monzonite.

If the rock has a greater percentage of alkali feldspar, it grades into a syenite. With an increase in calcic plagioclase and mafic minerals the rock type becomes a diorite. The volcanic equivalent is the latite.

Monzonite was originally named after the Monzoni range in Val di Fassa (Trento Province - Italy) where it is abundant. As rock definitions have been systematized and codified, this association has lost any relevance to the rock's definition.