A granite dome is a dome of granite, formed by exfoliation. In Geology, a dome is a deformational feature consisting of symmetrically-dipping Anticlines their general outline on a geologic Map is circular or oval Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock.

Granite domes in Rio de Janeiro

Formation

Granite forms plutons of igneous rock several kilometers below the surface as magma slowly cools and crystallizes. Rio de Janeiro ("River of January" ˈhiw dʒi ʒʌˈnejɾu in Brazilian Portuguese, /ˈriːoʊ di ʒəˈnɛroʊ/ in English is the second largest city of Brazil Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. A pluton in Geology is an Intrusive Igneous rock body that crystallized from a Magma slowly cooling below the surface of the Earth Igneous rocks (etymology from Latin ignis, fire are rocks formed by solidification of cooled Magma (molten rock Magma (Plurals magmas and magmata) is molten rock that sometimes forms beneath the surface of the Earth (or any other Terrestrial planet The granite is under great overhead pressure.

Glacier-sliced Half Dome, Yosemite, a classic granite dome

Then, granite is uplifted to the surface during a mountain-building event. "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period. Half Dome is a Granite dome in Yosemite National Park, located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley — possibly Yosemite's most familiar sight During the mountain building process, the overlying rock is eroded as the granite is uplifted, and the pressure on the granite reduced. Orogeny (Greek for "mountain generating" is the process of natural Mountain building and may be studied as a tectonic structural event as a geographical event and Erosion is the carrying away or displacement of solids ( Sediment, Soil, rock and other particles usually by the agents of currents such as wind The granite expands and forms fractures or sheet joints parallel to the surface. In geology the term joint refers to a fracture in rock where there has been no lateral movement in the plane of the fracture (up down or sideways of one side The granite then erodes in concentric layers (similar to how an onion peels) forming rounded masses called exfoliation domes. Organicsalsajpg||thumb|right|Onions used in salsa.]]Cooked onions in frying pan

Stone Mountain, in the American state of Georgia, the world's largest exposed piece of granite

While found worldwide, many such domes are found in the Sierra Nevada range in California, which includes the most famous exfoliation dome in the United States, Half Dome. This article is about Stone Mountain in Georgia USA For other uses see Stone Mountain (disambiguation. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Granite (ˈɡrænɪt is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, Felsic, igneous rock. The Sierra Nevada ( Spanish for "Snowy Range" is a Mountain range located in the U California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Half Dome is a Granite dome in Yosemite National Park, located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley — possibly Yosemite's most familiar sight Granitic surfaces in this region that have been exfoliated are identified by their lack of glacial polish. Glacial polish is a characteristic of rock surfaces where glaciers have passed over bedrock typically Granite or other hard igneous or metamorphic rock

A number of the domes are clustered at the upper end of Tenaya Lake, Yosemite. Tenaya Lake is a Lake in Yosemite National Park, located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows.

Liberty Cap, Yosemite, by Nevada Fall. Liberty Cap is a Granite dome in Yosemite National Park, California, USA. Nevada Fall is a high Waterfall on Merced River in Yosemite National Park, California.

Tenaya Lake reflection

See also

• Corcovado
• Half Dome
• Stone Mountain
• Wolfenstein (rock)
• Weathering#Pressure release

External links

• Granite domes of the Cairngorms