Igneous Rocks

Pictures of Intrusive and Extrusive Rock Types

Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock material. There are two basic
types: 1) intrusive igneous rocks such as diorite, gabbro, granite and pegmatite that solidify
below Earth's surface; and 2) extrusive igneous rocks such as andesite, basalt, obsidian, pumice,
rhyolite and scoria that solidify on or above Earth's surface. Pictures and brief descriptions of
some common igneous rock types are shown below.

Igneous Rock Types Menu

Andesite Basalt Diorite Gabbro Granite Obsidian

Pegmatite Peridotite Pumice Rhyolite Scoria Tuff

Andesite
 Andesite is a fine-grained, extrusive igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase
with other minerals such as hornblende, pyroxene and biotite. The specimen shown is
about two inches (five centimeters) across.
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Basalt
 Basalt is a fine-grained, dark-colored extrusive igneous rock composed mainly of
plagioclase and pyroxene. The specimen shown is about two inches (five centimeters)
across.
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Diorite
Diorite is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that contains a mixture of feldspar,
pyroxene, hornblende and sometimes quartz. The specimen shown above is about two
inches (five centimeters) across.
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Gabbro
Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark colored, intrusive igneous rock that contains feldspar,
augite and sometimes olivine. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.
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Granite
Granite is a coarse-grained, light colored, intrusive igneous rock that contains mainly
quartz and feldspar minerals. The specimen above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.
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Obsidian
 Obsidian is a dark-colored volcanic glass that forms from the very rapid cooling of
molten rock material. It cools so rapidly that crystals do not form. The specimen shown
above is about two inches (five centimeters) across.
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Pegmatite
Pegmatite is a light-colored, extremely coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock. It forms
near the margins of a magma chamber during the final phases of magma chamber
crystallization. It often contains rare minerals that are not found in other parts of the
magma chamber. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five centimeters)
across.
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Peridotite
Peridotite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock that is composed almost entirely
of olivine. It may contain small amounts of amphibole, feldspar, quartz or pyroxene.
The specimen shown above is about two inches (five centimeters) across.
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Pumice
 Pumice is a light-colored vesicular igneous rock. It forms through very rapid
solidification of a melt. The vesicular texture is a result of gas trapped in the melt at the
time of solidification. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.
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Rhyolite
Rhyolite is a light-colored, fine-grained, extrusive igneous rock that typically contains
quartz and feldspar minerals. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five
centimeters) across.
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Scoria
Scoria is a dark-colored, vesicular, extrusive igneous rock. The vesicles are a result of
trapped gas within the melt at the time of solidification. It often forms as a frothy crust
on the top of a lava flow or as material ejected from a volcanic vent and solidifying
while airborne. The specimen shown above is about two inches (five centimeters)
across.
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Welded Tuff
Welded Tuff is a rock that is composed of materials that were ejected from a volcano,
fell to Earth, and then lithified into a rock. It is usually composed mainly of volcanic
ash and sometimes contains larger size particles such as cinders. The specimen shown
above is about two inches (five