GEOGRAPHY

GRADE 11
WEEK 4

LESSON 3: TOPOGRAPHY ASSOCIATED WITH MASSIVE IGNEOUS ROCKS(*MIR)

You must know: You must use these Resources:

• What massive igneous rocks (MIR) are. • Lesson on Page 2
• How MIR form. • Textbook: Topic 2 – Geomorphology
• What & how landscapes develop from MIR. • Worksheet
• The difference between the various types of MIR. • Textbook: Additional Activities
• What MIR look like on a topographic map.
• The value of these landscapes to people.

WORKSHEET: Use the information on Page 2 and your textbook to complete the
following worksheet in your workbook.

1.1 Briefly explain how igneous rocks are formed.

1.2 What does the word “massive” in the term “massive igneous rocks” mean?
1.3 Do these rocks form on top of or below the earth’s surface?
1.4 Briefly explain the meaning of the phrase “igneous intrusion” [concept].
1.5 Give two examples of igneous rock types.
1.6 Identify the massive igneous rock features indicated by numbers 1-7 in the following diagram.

1.6.1 1……
1.6.2 2……
1.6.3 3……
1.6.4 4……
1.6.5 5……
1.6.6 6……
1.6.7 7……

1.7 Briefly explain the difference between a lopolith and a laccolith.

1.8 Briefly explain the difference between a dyke and a sill.

Follow the link or use the QR code to watch a short video

(4 min 15 sec) about igneous rocks:
https://tinyurl.com/p7dpfgh

Follow the link or use the QR code to watch a short video

(2 min 10 sec) about the three rock types:
https://tinyurl.com/y9rc6xjk

1
 Study this topic with the following questions in mind!
TOPIC: Topography associated with Massive Igneous Rocks (*MIR)
What does it look like? What is it? Where does it take place?
Massive igneous rocks are formed when • Landforms such batholiths and pipes are
magma cools down and solidifies. formed by intrusive igneous activity.
Surface Batholith • “Massive” refers to the texture of rocks. It • Forms when a mass of magma does not
means a random arrangement of the reach the surface, but pushes (intrudes)
minerals in the rock. Not into spaces underground and then
layered/stratified. solidifies.
• When these rocks are exposed by • It may be exposed on the surface of the
weathering and erosion, they usually Earth after years of erosion.
Batholith appear at the surface as granite domes or
tors.
Stage 1 Stage 2
Example of a Massive Igneous Rock (batholith) What are the intrusive bodies How are the various intrusive
underground and on the surface after many years of associated with massive igneous igneous rock bodies formed?
erosion. rocks?
Batholith: forms when an enormous mass of
magma pushes upwards and solidifies under the
earth’s surface. Largest of all intrusive forms.
Consist of granite e.g. Paarl Mountain
Laccolith: forms when magma intrudes between
older layers of sedimentary rock and pushes the
overlying strata upwards into the shape of a
mushroom.
Lopolith: forms when magma intrudes between
sedimentary layers and the layer underneath
cannot support the weight and sinks down to
form a saucer-shaped intrusion.
Photo of a batholith on the surface after erosion over Dyke: A wall-like intrusion that cuts almost
many years. vertically across existing strata.
Sill: A horizontal rock layer formed as magma
spread between layers.
Compiled by: Andre Jacobs, Andre Petersen and Hyran Gillion
Acknowledgements: Wilma McPherson and Mike Eksteen