GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site gneiss Gneiss. Credit: Mineral Information Institute A course-grained banded or foliated metamorphic rock, in which the minerals are arranged in darker and lighter layers. The chief components are irregular, granular bands of quartz and feldspar alternating with thin undulating bands of micas and amphiboles. Related category    • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP