Welcome to Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial!
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The Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial, located in Jeffersonville, Ohio, honors local men and women who served in the U.S. military. Dedicated in 2006, the memorial features more than 1,000 names of veterans from the community.
At the center of the memorial is a tall white granite pillar with a black granite base, topped by a statue of an eagle. On each side, you’ll see black granite panels engraved with the names of those who served. These two types of granite—white and black—are not only visually different but also formed in different ways underground.
In this EarthCache, you’ll learn how white granite and black granite differ in their color, mineral composition, and how they weather over time. Take a closer look at each type as you explore the memorial to see the differences for yourself.
Granite at the Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial
The Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial uses two visually distinct granites in its design: a light-colored stone for the base and center pillar, and a dark, polished stone for the engraved name panels above. While both stones are types of granite, they differ significantly in their mineral makeup, appearance, and how they weather over time.
Black Granite (Upper Panels)
The black stone used for the upper panels is commonly referred to as black granite, although in geological terms it’s often closer to gabbro or diabase. Regardless of exact classification, it is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning it formed slowly underground from cooling magma. This slow cooling allowed large mineral crystals to grow, creating a dense, interlocking texture.
This black granite typically contains a high percentage of mafic minerals like plagioclase feldspar, biotite mica, and hornblende, which are rich in iron and magnesium. These darker minerals give the rock its deep black appearance. When cut and polished, as seen here, the surface becomes highly reflective and speckled, making it ideal for engraved names and text.
White Granite (Lower Base and Pillar)
The lighter stone forming the base and center section of the memorial is a white or light gray granite. Like the black variety, it is an intrusive igneous rock, but it contains more felsic minerals, such as quartz, potassium feldspar, and lighter plagioclase feldspar. These minerals are rich in silica and aluminum and give the stone its pale, speckled appearance—often described as “salt and pepper.”
Comparing Weathering Patterns
Though both granites are known for their strength and durability, they weather differently over time due to their mineral composition:
- Black granite, with its higher content of iron-bearing minerals, is more prone to oxidation—a chemical reaction with oxygen and water that can produce rust-colored stains or surface dulling. Acid rain and pollution can accelerate this process.
- White granite, being higher in quartz and feldspar, generally resists chemical weathering better. Over time, however, it may experience granular disintegration, where individual crystals loosen from the surface. This often leads to a rough texture or small pits forming, especially in moist environments.
The polished finish on both types of granite slows weathering significantly, but small changes will still become visible over decades of exposure to wind, rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and pollution.
Common Weathering and Erosion Processes Affecting Granite:
1. Mechanical Weathering:
- Frost Wedging: Water enters small cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks apart the rock.
- Abrasion: Wind or flowing water grinds down surfaces over time.
2. Chemical Weathering:
- Oxidation: Iron-bearing minerals in granite (especially in black granite) react with oxygen, causing rust-like staining.
- Hydrolysis: Feldspar reacts with water to form clay, weakening the rock’s structure.
- Acid Rain: Sulfuric and nitric acids in rainwater react with minerals, especially feldspars, accelerating decay.
3. Biological Weathering:
- Roots and Plants: Tiny roots can grow into cracks and widen them.
- Lichen or Moss: These organisms secrete acids that slowly break down rock surfaces.
4. Thermal Expansion:
- Repeated heating and cooling cycles cause the granite to expand and contract, forming cracks or flakes.
5. Surface Erosion:
- Wind: Carries small abrasive particles that polish or pit the surface.
- Water: May cause slow surface smoothing or remove loosened grains.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please complete the tasks and questions below, and send me your answers. If logging for a group, please include the names of everyone in your group.
1) Compare the Two Stones: Look at the light gray granite on the bottom and the dark black granite on the top. How do they look different? Think about things like color, shininess, or the size of the little specks (grains). What do these differences tell you about what each stone might be made of?
2) Check for Weathering: Look closely at both types of granite. Do you see any signs of wear like stains, small holes, rough spots, or fading? Which stone looks like it’s been affected more by weather, and how can you tell?
3) Take a photo of yourself (or personal item) with the memorial. You can attach it to your found it log (optional).