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igneous rock

igneous rocks

Definitions of igneous rock
  1. noun
    rock formed by the solidification of molten magma
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    andesite
    a dark grey volcanic rock
    aplite
    light-colored and fine-grained granitic rock consisting chiefly of quartz and feldspars
    groundmass
    (geology) the matrix of fine-grained crystalline material in which larger crystals are embedded
    adesite
    dark greyish extrusive rock
    batholite, batholith, pluton, plutonic rock
    large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth
    diorite
    a granular crystalline intrusive rock
    gabbro
    one of a family of granular intrusive rocks
    pegmatite
    a form of igneous rock consisting of extremely coarse granite resulting from the crystallization of magma rich in rare elements
    peridotite
    a dark coarse-grained igneous rock consisting principally of olivine
    rhyolite
    very acid volcanic rock
    volcanic rock
    extrusive igneous rock solidified near or on the surface of the Earth
    porphyritic rock, porphyry
    any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals
    agglomerate
    volcanic rock consisting of large fragments fused together
    amygdaloid
    volcanic rock in which rounded cavities formed by expanding gas have subsequently become filled with mineral deposits
    dacite
    a grey volcanic rock containing plagioclase and quartz and other crystalline minerals
    basalt
    the commonest type of solidified lava; a dense dark grey fine-grained igneous rock that is composed chiefly of plagioclase feldspar and pyroxene
    volcanic glass
    a kind of natural glass produced when molten lava cools very rapidly
    granite
    plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
    lava
    rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
    tufa, tuff
    hard volcanic rock composed of compacted volcanic ash
    kimberlite
    a rare type of peridotite that sometimes contains diamonds; found in South Africa and Siberia
    type of:
    rock, stone
    material consisting of the aggregate of minerals like those making up the Earth's crust
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