Igneous Rocks and Textures
Chapter 4
Born from Molten Magma
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Rock Types
•
Igneous Rocks – formed from the solidification of a molten liquid
when it cools
•
Sedimentary Rocks – formed from consolidated sediments,
cementation, or precipitated from solutions
•
Metamorphic Rocks – sedimentary or igneous rocks changed by
heat, pressure, or impact
The key factors in determining rock type is texture and composition.
Igneous Rocks
•
Igneous is derived from the Latin term
ignis
meaning fire.
Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification and
crystallization of a cooling magma.
This is a exothermic
(cooling) process from liquid to solid-state.
•
Igneous rocks characteristics are controlled by:
–
Rate of cooling;
–
Magma geochemistry (controls mineralology); and
–
Texture (size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains).
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