What type of rocks mainly composes the Sierra Nevada Batholith?

The Sierra Nevada Batholith is primarily composed of granite and quartz monzonite, making it a significant geological structure that showcases the diversity of intrusions formed during the Mesozoic Era. Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock that predominantly consists of quartz, feldspar, and mica, while quartz monzonite is similar but has a higher proportion of plagioclase feldspar relative to potassium feldspar.

These rock types are indicative of a continental magmatic arc, which forms as a result of the subduction of oceanic crust beneath continental crust, leading to the melting of the mantle and the subsequent crystallization of magma within the continental crust. The Sierra Nevada Batholith is a classic example of such geological processes, characterized by its extensive granite formations that provide valuable insights into tectonic movements and the thermal evolution of the Earth's crust in that region.

Other rock types listed, such as gabbro and diorite, are not primarily found in the Sierra Nevada Batholith; they represent different compositions typically associated with deeper, mafic igneous intrusions. Claystone and limestone are sedimentary rock types that do not align with the primarily igneous nature of the batholith. Therefore, granite and quartz monzonite