Even though granite is the igneous rock most of us see and touch in homes and buildings, it’s basalt that carpets the vast majority of the world’s ocean floor.
If you’ve ever taken an Earth science quiz, you’ve probably seen a question like:
What type of igneous rock makes up most of the ocean floor?
A. Basalt B. Granite C. Lucite D. Shal / Shale
The correct answer is basalt.
Even though granite is the igneous rock most of us see and touch in homes and buildings, it’s basalt that carpets the vast majority of the world’s ocean floor. Granite still plays a big role in the story, though—especially when we talk about continental crust, mountains, and of course granite countertops.
In this article, we’ll look at:
- Why basalt, not granite, makes up most of the ocean floor
- Where granite stone fits into Earth’s crust
- How granite forms, weathers, and transforms inside the planet
- How all of this geology connects to the granite you buy, install, seal, and maintain at home
- How Aardwolf products fit into the granite story from quarry to kitchen
Basalt vs Granite: Who Owns the Ocean Floor?
Let’s tackle the core question straight away:
The correct answer: basalt
Among the choices basalt, granite, lucite, shal/shale, the only one that correctly describes most of the ocean floor is:
✅ Basalt – a dark, fine-grained, mafic igneous rock
Basalt forms where:
- Tectonic plates pull apart at mid-ocean ridges
- Mantle rock partially melts
- Basaltic magma rises, erupts onto the seafloor, and cools quickly
Layer upon layer of this basaltic lava builds a relatively thin but dense oceanic crust.
Why not granite?
Granite is also an igneous rock, but:
- It forms from silica-rich magma that cools slowly deep underground
- It’s lighter in color and less dense than basalt
- It’s characteristic of continental crust, not oceanic crust
So while the seafloor is mostly basalt, a huge portion of the continents—and many of the slabs we turn into kitchen and bathroom surfaces—are made from granite stone.
Lucite is a plastic, shale is a sedimentary rock, and “shal” is just a misspelling of shale. None of those are the right answer for oceanic crust.
Granite Geology and Composition: The Continental Counterpart to Basalt
Even though basalt rules under the oceans, granite is still the star of the show on land.
Granite geology and composition
Granite is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning:
- It cools slowly underground, not at the surface
- This slow cooling allows large crystals to grow
Typical granite is made from:
- Quartz – very hard, transparent to milky; adds strength and sparkle
- Feldspar – white, cream, or pink; sets the overall base color
- Mica and accessory minerals – dark flecks and subtle veining
These minerals give us the key characteristics of granite:
- High hardness and scratch resistance
- Excellent heat resistance
- Slight natural porosity (important when we talk about sealing granite)
- Ability to take a very high polish
That combination explains why granite became so popular as a natural stone countertop material.
If you’re curious how granite continues to evolve deep in the Earth, it’s worth exploring:
- What geologic process can change granite into gneiss? – how intense heat and pressure can transform granite into a banded metamorphic rock
- How can a large block of granite form layers like an onion? – how unloading and weathering can make granite peel in onion-like layers
Those stories highlight just how dynamic granite is, even long after it solidifies.
Oceanic Basalt vs Continental Granite: Two Very Different Crusts
From a big-picture perspective, Earth’s outer shell is divided into two main rock “styles”:
Oceanic crust – basalt dominated
- Mostly basalt and related mafic rocks
- Thinner (about 5–10 km thick)
- Denser, which is why it sits lower and collects oceans
Continental crust – granite rich
- Rich in granite and other silica-rich rocks
- Thicker (30–70 km or more)
- Less dense, so it “floats” higher and forms landmasses
This contrast is at the heart of:
- Mountain building
- Plate tectonics
- The types of rocks we see in quarries and use in construction
Basalt spends its life mostly hidden under water. Granite, by contrast, ends up in visible outcrops, mountains, buildings, monuments…and eventually, granite countertops.
From Geological Granite to Kitchen Granite
So how does granite go from deep-earth igneous rock to your white granite countertop or dramatic black granite countertops?
Natural vs. engineered granite surfaces
In a natural vs. engineered granite discussion:
- Natural granite
- Real stone quarried in huge blocks
- Cut into slabs, polished, then fabricated into countertops
- Each slab is unique, with its own veining and color variation
- Engineered stone (quartz)
- Made from crushed stone + resin
- Highly consistent patterns and colors
- Non-porous and doesn’t need sealing – but not actually granite
When people say “granite countertops,” they usually mean natural granite stone, not quartz. That distinction matters when we talk about sealing, polishing, and long-term maintenance.
Characteristics of Granite in the Home: Durability, Shine and Care
Granite’s geologic history gives it some excellent everyday properties.
Clean granite countertops: daily care basics
Because of its hardness and polish, everyday cleaning is straightforward:
- Use mild dish soap and warm water or a stone-safe cleaner
- Avoid harsh acids (vinegar, lemon) and strong bleach
- Wipe spills quickly to minimize the chance of stains
Properly cared-for granite is easy to keep in “like-new” condition and is far more forgiving than softer materials like marble.
Sealing granite for stain resistance
Although granite is tough, it’s still slightly porous. That means liquids can slowly seep into microscopic pores and leave marks. That’s why:
- Sealing granite with a penetrating sealer is recommended for most kitchen and bath applications
- Newly installed granite should be sealed, then resealed periodically depending on use
- Sealing helps prevent removing stains from granite from becoming a big project later on
Good sealing practices are particularly important around sinks, cooktops, and busy prep zones.
Repairing chips in granite and polishing granite surfaces
Life happens—pans get dropped, kids climb where they shouldn’t, and edges can chip:
- Repairing chips in granite usually involves filling small chips with a clear or color-matched epoxy, then smoothing and polishing
- Polishing granite surfaces with the right compounds can restore gloss if the surface becomes hazy or lightly etched
Because granite is so dense and hard, these repairs can blend in very well, extending the life of your counters for many years.
Granite vs Other Countertop Materials: A Practical Comparison
Now that we know basalt rules the ocean floor and granite rules the continents, how does granite compare to other popular countertop materials?
Granite vs quartz countertops
- Granite
- Natural stone with unique patterns
- Heat resistant
- Slightly porous — needs sealing
- Quartz
- Engineered, highly consistent look
- Non-porous — no sealing needed
- Less tolerant of extreme heat
Granite vs marble: pros and cons
- Marble
- Softer and more porous than granite
- Prone to etching from acids (lemon, wine, vinegar)
- Stunning but high-maintenance
- Granite
- Harder and more scratch-resistant
- Better suited for busy family kitchens
- Easier to keep looking polished over time
Granite vs soapstone durability
- Soapstone
- Very dense and resistant to stains
- Soft and easy to scratch or dent
- Often needs regular oiling to maintain appearance
- Granite
- More scratch-resistant
- Holds a shiny, polished finish longer under daily use
Granite better than concrete countertops?
- Concrete
- Extremely porous, can stain and crack
- Requires sealers and regular maintenance
- Heavier and often more labor-intensive
- Granite
- Naturally dense and strong
- Easier to maintain beautifully with routine cleaning and sealing
In most natural stone countertop comparisons, granite comes out as one of the best all-around choices for durability, beauty, and long-term value.
Granite Countertop Cost, Sourcing and Aardwolf Solutions
Once you fall in love with granite’s mix of geology and practicality, the next step is figuring out:
- How much it costs
- Where to buy
- Which specific stone and color fit your home
Granite countertop cost and where to buy granite countertops
Granite countertop cost depends on:
- Stone rarity and color
- Veining and pattern complexity
- Slab thickness and finish
- Fabrication complexity (edges, cut-outs, seams)
- Local labor and installation rates
You’ll typically source granite from:
- Local fabricators and showrooms
- Wholesale granite suppliers with rows of full-size slabs
- Big-box stores offering affordable granite countertop options in popular patterns
Seeing full slabs in person is ideal, especially for large islands or spaces where veining and pattern flow really matter.
Design decisions: colors, backsplashes and cabinets
Granite’s natural variety gives you a huge design playground:
- A white granite countertop can make a small kitchen feel larger and brighter
- Black granite countertops add drama and high contrast, especially with light cabinets
To complete the look:
- Consider full-height granite backsplash designs for a seamless, luxury feel
- Spend time pairing granite with cabinet colors so undertones work together, not against each other
Done right, the result is a space that feels cohesive, practical, and timeless.
Aardwolf granite: premium slabs and professional installation
To help with that journey from quarry to kitchen, the Aardwolf granite countertop collection focuses on:
- High-quality Aardwolf premium granite slabs in a range of colors and patterns
- Curated stones selected for both beauty and durability
- Many of the best Aardwolf granite colors for today’s design trends
With Aardwolf granite installation services, you also benefit from:
- Expert templating, cutting and seam planning
- Proper structural support for heavy stone
- Professional sealing and finishing
And the Aardwolf granite pricing guide helps you:
- Understand cost tiers
- Compare options within your budget
- Choose the right balance of price, performance and aesthetics
Final Takeaway: Basalt Below the Waves, Granite in Your Home
So, to answer the quiz once and for all:
What type of igneous rock makes up most of the ocean floor?
Basalt, granite, lucite, shal, shale