Igneous rocks are formed when magma from the Earth's mantle cools and solidifies. The size and type of crystals in igneous rocks depend on the composition of the magma and the rate of cooling. Quickly cooled magma results in small crystals like in basalt, while slowly cooled magma forms large crystals as seen in granite. Different compositions of magma also impact the viscosity and eruptive behavior of volcanoes.
Igneous rocks are formed when magma from the Earth's mantle cools and solidifies. The size and type of crystals in igneous rocks depend on the composition of the magma and the rate of cooling. Quickly cooled magma results in small crystals like in basalt, while slowly cooled magma forms large crystals as seen in granite. Different compositions of magma also impact the viscosity and eruptive behavior of volcanoes.
Igneous rocks are formed when magma from the Earth's mantle cools and solidifies. The size and type of crystals in igneous rocks depend on the composition of the magma and the rate of cooling. Quickly cooled magma results in small crystals like in basalt, while slowly cooled magma forms large crystals as seen in granite. Different compositions of magma also impact the viscosity and eruptive behavior of volcanoes.
Types of magma Magma that is high in iron and low in silica tends to be quite runny. When a volcano erupts, this type of magma flows out of the volcano in a fairly ‘safe’ eruption.
Magma that is low in iron and
high in silica is thick and causes violent eruptions. Pumice, volcanic ash and volcanic bombs are produced.
Igneous rock crystals Magma is full of minerals that turn into crystals under the right conditions. The size of the crystals in an igneous rock is related to the rate at which the molten magma cools.
If magma cools quickly,
the crystals do not have very much time to form and so are small in size. Basalt has small crystals.
On the other hand, if
magma cools slowly, the crystals have more time to grow and so are large. Granite has large crystals.