Igneous Rocks
Introduction
Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and solidification of molten rock material
called magma or lava. They represent the primary rocks of the Earth's crust, from
which other rock types originate in the rock cycle.
The word igneous comes from the Latin word “ignis”, meaning fire, indicating their
origin from molten material.
Igneous rocks form either below the Earth’s surface or on the surface, depending on
where the molten material solidifies.
Definition of Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are rocks formed by the cooling and crystallization of molten magma
beneath the Earth's surface or lava on the Earth's surface.
The process through which magma solidifies to form rocks is called crystallization.
Mode of Formation of Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed through the following sequence of geological processes:
1. Formation of Magma
Magma is produced in the Earth's mantle or lower crust due to:
Increase in temperature
Decrease in pressure
Addition of volatile substances such as water
Magma consists of:
molten silicate material
dissolved gases
suspended mineral crystals
2. Movement of Magma
Once formed, magma rises upward through the crust due to lower density compared
to surrounding rocks.
It may:
solidify beneath the surface
erupt onto the Earth's surface as lava
3. Cooling and Crystallization
When magma cools, minerals crystallize in a definite sequence.
Cooling rate controls crystal size:
Cooling Rate Crystal Size
Slow cooling Large crystals
Rapid cooling Small crystals
Types of Igneous Rocks (Based on Mode of Formation)
Igneous rocks are mainly classified into:
1. Intrusive (Plutonic) Igneous Rocks
2. Extrusive (Volcanic) Igneous Rocks
3. Hypabyssal (Subvolcanic) Rocks
Intrusive Igneous Rocks (Plutonic Rocks)
Definition - Intrusive igneous rocks are formed when magma cools and solidifies slowly
beneath the Earth's surface.
Characteristics
Slow cooling
Large crystals (coarse-grained texture)
Minerals visible to the naked eye
Common Examples
Rock Mineral Composition
Granite Quartz, feldspar, mica
Diorite Feldspar, hornblende
Gabbro Pyroxene, plagioclase
2. Extrusive Igneous Rocks (Volcanic Rocks)
Definition - Extrusive igneous rocks form when lava erupts onto the Earth's surface and
cools rapidly.
Characteristics
Rapid cooling
Fine-grained or glassy texture
Crystals usually very small or invisible
Common Examples
Rock Equivalent Intrusive Rock
Basalt Gabbro
Rhyolite Granite
Andesite Diorite
Geological Example: Extensive basalt flows are found in the Deccan Traps, one of the
largest volcanic provinces in the world.
3. Hypabyssal Igneous Rocks (Subvolcanic Rocks)
Definition - Hypabyssal rocks form when magma solidifies at shallow depths below the
Earth's surface.
Characteristics
Intermediate cooling rate
Medium-sized crystals
Often occur as small intrusive bodies
Common Rock Types
Dolerite (Diabase)
Porphyry
Summary Table
Type of Igneous Rock Formation Environment Example
Intrusive Beneath Earth's surface Granite
Extrusive Earth's surface Basalt
Hypabyssal Shallow depth Dolerite
Igneous Features
Definition: Igneous features are the geological structures or landforms formed by the
intrusion or extrusion of magma during volcanic and magmatic activity. These features
are produced when magma solidifies either below the Earth’s surface (intrusive features)
or on the surface (extrusive features).
They provide important evidence about volcanic activity, magma movement, and crustal
formation processes.
A. Intrusive Igneous Features
Intrusive features form when magma solidifies below the Earth’s surface. They are also
called plutonic bodies.
1. Batholith
Definition: A batholith is a very large irregular mass of intrusive igneous rock formed deep
within the Earth's crust.
Characteristics
Largest intrusive bodies
Usually composed of granite
Exposed at the surface after erosion
Example
Granite batholiths occur in mountain regions such as the Himalayas.
2. Laccolith
Definition: A laccolith is a dome-shaped igneous intrusion formed when magma pushes
upward between layers of sedimentary rocks.
Characteristics
Mushroom-shaped structure
Causes uplift of overlying strata
3. Lopolith
Definition - A lopolith is a large saucer-shaped intrusive body with a depressed center.
Characteristics
Basin-like shape
Often associated with large mafic intrusions
4. Dyke
Definition: A dyke is a vertical or steeply inclined sheet of igneous rock that cuts across the
bedding planes of surrounding rocks.
Characteristics
Discordant intrusion
Forms when magma fills cracks in rocks
5. Sill
Definition: A sill is a horizontal sheet of igneous rock formed when magma intrudes
between layers of sedimentary rocks.
Characteristics
Parallel to bedding planes
Concordant intrusion
2. Extrusive Igneous Features
Extrusive features form when lava erupts onto the Earth's surface and solidifies.
1. Volcano
Definition: A volcano is an opening in the Earth's crust through which magma, gases, and
volcanic ash erupt onto the surface.
Products
Lava flows
Volcanic ash
Pyroclastic materials
2. Lava Plateau
Definition: A lava plateau is a large flat region formed by successive lava flows spreading
over vast areas.
Example
The Deccan Traps is one of the largest lava plateaus in the world.
3. Volcanic Cone
Definition: A volcanic cone is a cone-shaped hill or mountain formed by accumulation of
volcanic materials around a volcanic vent.
Types
Shield cones
Composite cones
Cinder cones
Diagram of Igneous Features
The diagram shows major intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies such as batholiths,
laccoliths, dykes, sills, and volcanic features.
Importance of Igneous Features
Igneous features are important because they:
Reveal magma movement inside the Earth
Help in mineral and ore deposit exploration
Explain volcanic activity and tectonic processes
Provide information about crustal evolution
Classification of Igneous Rocks (Based on Chemical Composition)
Igneous rocks are classified based on their silica (SiO₂) content and mineral
composition.
Major Types
1. Acidic Igneous Rocks - Silica content: More than 65%
Characteristics
Light colored
High quartz content
Low density
Examples
Granite
Rhyolite
2. Intermediate Igneous Rocks - Silica content: 55–65%
Characteristics
Moderate silica content
Contain feldspar and amphibole
Examples
Diorite
Andesite
3. Basic Igneous Rocks - Silica content: 45–55%
Characteristics
Dark colored
Rich in iron and magnesium minerals
Examples
Gabbro
Basalt
Example region:
Basalt flows in the Deccan Traps
4. Ultrabasic Igneous Rocks - Silica content: Less than 45%
Characteristics
Very rich in magnesium and iron
Usually dark green or black
Examples
Peridotite
Dunite
These rocks are commonly found in the Earth's mantle.
Properties of Igneous Rocks
1. Crystalline Nature
Igneous rocks are generally crystalline in structure, meaning that the minerals occur as
interlocking crystals formed during the cooling of magma.
Crystals grow as magma cools and minerals solidify.
Intrusive rocks usually have large crystals, while extrusive rocks have very small
crystals.
Example:
Granite contains visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
2. Hardness and Strength
Igneous rocks are usually hard, compact, and resistant to weathering and erosion.
Reasons:
Strong interlocking mineral crystals
Lack of weak layers
Examples:
Granite
Basalt
Because of this strength, they are widely used as building and construction materials.
3. Absence of Stratification
Unlike sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks generally do not show layering or stratification.
They are usually massive and homogeneous because they form from solidified molten
material rather than deposited sediments.
4. Absence of Fossils
Igneous rocks do not contain fossils because the high temperature of molten magma
destroys organic remains.
Fossils are therefore mainly found in sedimentary rocks.
5. Variation in Texture
Igneous rocks show different textures depending on the rate of cooling of magma.
Examples:
Texture Cooling Rate Example
Phaneritic Slow cooling Granite
Aphanitic Rapid cooling Basalt
Glassy Very rapid cooling Obsidian
6. Mineral Composition
Igneous rocks are mainly composed of silicate minerals, including:
Quartz
Feldspar
Mica
Pyroxene
Amphibole
Olivine
The composition depends on the chemical composition of the magma.
7. Low Porosity
Igneous rocks generally have low porosity and permeability because the minerals are
tightly packed together.
This makes them poor reservoirs for groundwater and petroleum compared to
sedimentary rocks.
8. High Density
Many igneous rocks, especially basic rocks, have high density due to the presence of iron
and magnesium-rich minerals.
Example:
Basalt is denser than granite.
Texture of Igneous Rocks
Definition - Texture of igneous rocks refers to the size, shape, arrangement, and degree of
crystallization of mineral grains present in the rock.
Texture develops during the cooling and solidification of magma or lava and therefore
provides important information about the cooling rate and environment of formation.
Slow cooling → large crystals
Rapid cooling → small or no crystals
Factors Controlling Texture
The texture of igneous rocks depends on several factors:
1. Rate of cooling of magma
2. Chemical composition of magma
3. Presence of gases and volatiles
4. Location of crystallization (surface or deep inside the Earth)
Types of Igneous Textures
1. Phaneritic Texture (Coarse-grained)
Definition: A texture in which mineral crystals are large enough to be seen with the
naked eye.
Formation: Slow cooling of magma deep inside the Earth.
Examples:
Granite
Diorite
Gabbro
2. Aphanitic Texture (Fine-grained)
Definition: A texture where crystals are too small to be seen without a microscope.
Formation: Rapid cooling of lava at the Earth's surface.
Examples:
Basalt
Rhyolite
3. Porphyritic Texture
Definition: A texture characterized by large crystals (phenocrysts) embedded in a fine-
grained groundmass.
Formation: Two-stage cooling:
1. Slow cooling at depth
2. Rapid cooling at the surface
Examples:
Porphyritic basalt
Porphyritic andesite
4. Glassy Texture
Definition: A texture with no visible crystals, resembling glass.
Formation: Very rapid cooling of lava.
Example:
Obsidian
5. Vesicular Texture
Definition: A texture characterized by numerous cavities or holes formed by escaping
gases.
Examples:
Pumice
Scoria
6. Pegmatitic Texture
Definition: A texture with extremely large crystals (often larger than 1 cm).
Formation: Slow crystallization from volatile-rich magma.
Example:
Pegmatite containing large feldspar and quartz crystals.
Igneous Structure
Definition - Structure refers to the macroscopic features developed in igneous rocks during
or after solidification of magma or lava.
Types of Igneous Structures
1. Massive Structure
Definition: Rocks that appear compact and uniform without any visible layering or
cavities.
Example: Granite
2. Vesicular Structure
Definition: Rocks containing numerous gas cavities formed by escaping gases during lava
solidification.
Examples: Pumice, Scoria
3. Amygdaloidal Structure
Definition: Vesicles that later become filled with secondary minerals such as quartz,
calcite, or zeolite.
These filled cavities are called amygdales.
Example region: Basalt flows of the Deccan Traps.
4. Flow Structure
Definition: Arrangement of minerals or vesicles in parallel bands due to the movement of
lava during cooling.
Common in volcanic rocks such as rhyolite.
5. Pillow Structure
Definition: Rounded pillow-shaped structures formed when lava erupts underwater and
cools rapidly.
Common in submarine volcanic environments.
Example location: Mid-Atlantic Ridge
6. Columnar Structure
Definition - Columnar structure forms when lava cools and contracts, producing vertical
polygonal columns.
Characteristics
Vertical columns
Usually hexagonal in shape
Form due to shrinkage during cooling
Example: Columnar basalt is well developed in the Deccan Traps.