What is Diorite?
[[File:Diorite2.tif|thumb|Diorite]] [[File:Diorite orbiculaire-5729~2016 11 03.jpg|thumb|Orbicular diorite from Corsica ([[corsite]])]] [[File:QAPFdiorite.gif|thumb|upright=1.4|Diorite classification on [[QAPF diagram]]]] [[File:Mineralogy igneous rocks EN.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|Mineral assemblage of igneous rocks]]{{More sources}} '''Diorite''' ( [[Help:IPA/English|/ˈdaɪ.əˌraɪt/]]) is a melted rock that has cooled made mostly of the [[Silicate mineral|silicate minerals]] (materials made of [[silicon]] and [[oxygen]]). Diorite is between [[basalt]] and [[granite]]. Diorite is usually grey to dark-grey in color, but it can also be black or bluish-grey, and often has a greenish cast. It is distinguished from [[gabbro]] (basalt) because the material in diorite has more [[sodium]] and less [[calcium]]. Diorite may have small amounts of [[quartz]], [[microcline]], and [[olivine]]. Tiny amounts of [[muscovite]] may also be found. If there is a lot of [[quartz]] it makes the rock type ''quartz-diorite'' (>5% quartz) or [[tonalite]] (>20% quartz). Diorite has an often speckled [[texture]] of coarse grain size. Diorites may be associated with either granite or basalt [[Intrusion|intrusions]], into which they may merge. Diorite results from the [[partial melting]] of a rock above the area where two [[tectonic plates]] merge under each other. It is commonly produced in [[Volcanic arc|volcanic arcs]], and in cordilleran [[Orogeny|mountain building]], such as in the [[Andes Mountains]], as large [[Batholith|batholiths]]. The [[Extrusive (geology)|extrusive]] [[volcanic]] equivalent rock type is [[andesite]]. ==Occurrence== [[File:Diorite.jpg|thumb|Diorite]] Diorite is a relatively rare rock. It is found in [[Leicestershire]] (one name for microdiorite—markfieldite—exists due to the rock's being found in the village of [[Markfield]]) and [[Aberdeenshire]], [[UK]]; [[Guernsey]]; [[Sondrio]], [[Italy]]; [[Thuringia]] and [[Saxony]] in [[Germany]]; [[Finland]]; [[Romania]]; Northeastern [[Turkey]]; central [[Sweden]]; the Da