Igneous rocks can form anywhere, but some, like granite and gabbro, have particularly large crystals (perhaps 5 or more mm across). These are intrusive rocks, and as they are insulated by a lot of rock around them, cool very slowly, forming large crystals. They form deep, often a few kilometres, below the surface of the earth.
Igneous rocks that have mineral crystals easily seen with the unaided eye formed from slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep underground or at the Earth's surface. The slower the cooling process, the larger the mineral crystals can grow, resulting in rocks like granite and diorite with visible crystals.
Igneous rock that cools quickly may have a fine-grained texture, with small mineral crystals that are not easily visible to the naked eye. Examples include basalt and rhyolite.
Mica is a shiny mineral that occurs in sheets. It is composed of thin, flat sheets that can easily be peeled apart. Mica is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Poikilitic texture refers to crystals, typically phenocrysts, in an igneous rock which contain small grains of other minerals. The texture is most easily observed in petrographic thin sections.
Large size crystals that are known as phaneritic are typically found in intrusive igneous rocks. These rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing the crystals time to grow to visible sizes. Phaneritic textures are characterized by crystals that are easily visible to the naked eye.
Igneous rocks that have mineral crystals easily seen with the unaided eye formed from slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep underground or at the Earth's surface. The slower the cooling process, the larger the mineral crystals can grow, resulting in rocks like granite and diorite with visible crystals.
== Grain size. Most intrusive igneous rocks will have visible crystals. Crystals in most extrusive igneous rocks are not easily visible.
Igneous rock that cools quickly may have a fine-grained texture, with small mineral crystals that are not easily visible to the naked eye. Examples include basalt and rhyolite.
Virtually all rock contains mineral crystals of various sizes. Most volcanic rocks such as granite contain crystals of quartz and other minerals. Crystal size varies depending on the speed of cooling.
Rocks with large, easily identifiable minerals, such as granite and diorite, are easy to classify. These rocks belong to the intrusive igneous rock category and typically have distinct mineral compositions that allow for easy identification.
Mica is a shiny mineral that occurs in sheets. It is composed of thin, flat sheets that can easily be peeled apart. Mica is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Sandstone typically does not have crystals. It is primarily composed of sand-sized mineral particles that are cemented together, giving it a granular appearance. If sandstone does contain crystals, they are usually very small and not easily visible to the naked eye.
Metamorphic rocks that consist of only one mineral and have large interlocking crystals often have a coarse-grained texture. This means that the individual mineral grains are easily visible to the naked eye. Examples of such rocks include quartzite (formed from quartz) and marble (formed from calcite).
Poikilitic texture refers to crystals, typically phenocrysts, in an igneous rock which contain small grains of other minerals. The texture is most easily observed in petrographic thin sections.
Mica is a mineral that often forms smooth flat sheets. It is known for its perfect cleavage and ability to be easily split into thin, flexible layers. Mica is commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Large size crystals that are known as phaneritic are typically found in intrusive igneous rocks. These rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing the crystals time to grow to visible sizes. Phaneritic textures are characterized by crystals that are easily visible to the naked eye.
Rocks with visible crystals are classified as crystalline rocks. These rocks are formed when minerals inside the rock crystallize and grow to a size that they are visible to the naked eye. Examples include granite and basalt.