Pikes Peak Granite Composition

The pikes peak granite is a widespread geologic formation found in the central part of the front range of colorado the granite gets its name from the 14 110 foot 4 300 m mountain pikes peak which is made up almost entirely of the distinctive brick red rock pikes peak itself is only a small part of a much larger formation known as the pikes peak batholith.

Pikes peak granite composition.

The pikes peak region has an abundance of amazing outdoor activities both natural geological wonders and some incredible man made fun in the sun. The pikes peak granite also yields excellent crystals of topaz fluorite goethite and other minerals too numerous to mention. The cripple creek victor mining district producing from an unusual oligocene 30 million year old volcanic intrusive rock called phonolite is one of the most important gold and silver districts in the united. Masks are required in the gift shops and on the shuttles all access is.

In the pikes peak type proper biotite is quite subordinate but on either. Although there may have been volcanoes overlying the intrusion the majority of the magma never reached the surface but formed and cooled at a depth of about 1 to 2 miles 1 6 to 3 3 km. Over 1 billion years ago magma pushed up into the front range of colorado. The ancient dikes composed of cambrian sawatch sandstone figure 2 formed long after the pikes peak granite was present.

Pikes peak granite is part of the pikes peak batholith formed between 1 02 1 08 billion of years ago deep underground by hot magma produced from earth s core and a later the source of volcanic eruptions. The pikes peak granite is a 1 08 billion year old widespread geologic formation found in the central part of the front range of colorado it is a coarse grained pink to light red syenogranite with minor gray monzogranite and it has a distinctive brick red appearance where it outcrops the granite gets its name from the 14 115 foot 4 302 m pikes peak which is made up almost entirely of this rock. The pikes peak granite formed in several stages. Please note that there is very limited views and access on the summit due to construction activities.

From museums that celebrate our western heritage to places that explore. The main type is a very coarse grained biotite granite or granitite in most places red. Due to construction on the summit and the limited parking availability most guests will need to ride our complimentary shuttle from one of three shuttle lots. When the pikes peak granite was subjected to intense compression during the laramide orogeny extreme force was concentrated on the sandstone resulting in it being pressurized heated and fluidized.

The mass of pikes peak is principally made up of a single granite type belonging to what is apparently one great body extending for many miles in all directions. Colorado has a wonderful variety of indoor attractions. Check out our pikes peak shuttle page for more information.