IGNEOUS ROCKS:
HOW ARE THEY FORMED?
What are igneous rocks?
Igneous rocks are one of
the three major categories
of rocks. The word igneous
is derived from the Latin
word for fire, ignis or ignus.
How are igneous rocks formed?
Igneous rocks are formed through the
process of solidification and
crystallization of molten rocks; magma
and lava. When hot, molten rocks reach
the surface of the earth, they undergo
changes in temperature and pressure
causing them to cool, solidify and
crystallize. Moreover, there are also
solidification and crystallization magma
beneath the earth.
TYPES OF IGNEOUS ROCKS
1.Intrusive igneous rocks
2.Extrusive igneous rocks
Intrusive Igneous Rocks
Intrusive igneous rocks also known as
plutonic or abyssal make up the majority of
igneous rocks. This type of igneous rocks
originates from magma that cools and
solidifies within the crust surrounded by pre-
existing rock. The magma cools slowly inside
the volcano, thus making the rocks coarse-
grained or coarse textured.
Intrusive Igneous Rocks
Extrusive Igneous Rocks
Extrusive igneous rocks or volcanic rocks, are formed
at the crust's surface, a consequent process of the
partial melting of rocks within the mantle and crust.
They cool and solidify more quickly than intrusive
igneous rocks. They are formed by the cooling of
molten magma on the earth's surface. The magma,
which is brought to the surface through fissures or
volcanic eruptions, solidifies at a faster rate. Hence
such rocks are smooth, crystalline and fine-grained.
Extrusive Igneous Rocks
What are the types of igneous
rocks based on composition?
Igneous rocks can also be classified
according to their composition. They are
composed of SiO2 or silica. Not all
igneous rocks have the same silica
content.
There are four classifications
of igneous rocks based on
silica content: ultramafic,
mafic, intermediate and
felsic.
Based on the illustration, you will notice the differences of these four
classifications of igneous rocks in terms of their color. Ultramafic has
the darkest color and felsic has the lightest color. To sum, the higher the
silica content is, the lighter its color while the lower the silica content is,
the darker its color. Thus, amount of silica affects the color of the rocks.
Activity 1. Types of Igneous Rocks, Described!
Directions. Given are the different examples of igneous rocks. Supply the missing information to
complete the table below.
Rocks Type of Igneous Formed from Cooling rate Crystal size
Rock (intrusive (magma or lava) (fast or slow) (small, large or no
or extrusive) crystal)
Rhyolite Extrusive 1. 2. small
Gabbro 3. 4. slow large
Granite Intrusive 5. slow 6.
Scoria 7. lava 8. No crystals
Obsidian 9. lava fast 10.
