Magma and Igneous Rocks Flashcards
Rock
A solid which contains minerals
The Rock Cycle
A process which transforms and creates different types of rocks
Molten rock/magma/lava
A type of rock that has been heated to high temperatures and has become hot, thick liquid
Igneous rock
A rock which has solidified from lava/magma
Flux melting
When water or carbon dioxide is added is added to a rock. This causes the rock to melt to low temperatures.
Thermal melting
The melting of a rock due to heat
Decompression melting
When rock in the mantle rises causing the pressure of the rock to decrease and eventually melt into liquid
Solidus
The temperature and pressure conditions required for rock to begin melting
Geothermal gradient
The rate of change in temperature with respect to increasing depth in the earths interrior
Texture
The shape/size and arrangement of minerals/grains in a rock
Composition
The types of colours/minerals in a rock and its chemical makeup
Intrusive vs Extrusive rocks
Intrusive - Igneous rocks below the ground that cool slowly
Extrusive - Igneous rocks above the ground that cool quickly
Dike vs sill
Dike - Subvertical intrusive rock
Sill - Subhorizontal intrusive rock
Magma chambers
Pools of molten rock formed when dikes and sills merge together
Plutons
A type of rock formed when magma chambers cool
