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Pegmatites are igneous rocks that form from the crystallization of magma that is rich in water and volatile components, leading to the growth of large crystals. The unique conditions during their formation result in the presence of rare minerals and elements, such as lithium, beryllium, and tantalum. These crystals often exhibit a distinct zonation, with more complex and larger crystals forming in the center of the pegmatite. The slow cooling process allows for the development of well-formed, often beautifully colored crystals, which are of significant interest to mineral collectors and the mining industry.
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How do you do crystals in PEGMATITES form?
Crystals in pegmatites form through the slow cooling and crystallization of magma that is rich in water and volatile components. As the magma cools, the high concentration of minerals leads to the growth of large, well-formed crystals, often containing rare elements. The unique conditions in pegmatites, including increased temperature and pressure, allow for the formation of complex mineral structures. These environments typically have a lower viscosity, facilitating the movement of ions and enhancing crystal growth.
Are igneous rocks formed from smalll minerals?
Not necessarily. Intrusive igneous rocks, especially pegmatites, can have large crystals.
What are teardrop shaped bodies with large crystals such as gemstones that form when magma moves upward?
Teardrop-shaped bodies with large crystals, often referred to as "pegmatites," form when magma cools slowly, allowing large crystals, such as gemstones, to develop. These formations typically occur in the final stages of magma crystallization, where the temperature and pressure conditions create an environment conducive to the growth of sizable mineral crystals. Pegmatites are commonly found in granitic environments and can contain rare minerals and gemstones due to the concentration of elements during crystallization.
How are the ways in witch pluton and pegmatite minerals form similar?
Both plutons and pegmatites are formed from the slow cooling of molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. This slow cooling allows for the formation of large mineral crystals. Additionally, both plutons and pegmatites can contain a variety of minerals, often including rare or uncommon ones due to the unique conditions of their formation.
Explain pegmatite is coarse grained with large crystals basalt is fine grained with small crystals and obsidian has no crystals?
Crystal size in these rock types is determined by their rate of cooling. Pegmatites have large crystals due to very slow cooling. Obsidian has microscopic crystals due to almost instantaneous cooling.
How do the crystals in the pegmatites form?
slow cooling of gaseous magma
How do you do crystals in PEGMATITES form?
Crystals in pegmatites form through the slow cooling and crystallization of magma that is rich in water and volatile components. As the magma cools, the high concentration of minerals leads to the growth of large, well-formed crystals, often containing rare elements. The unique conditions in pegmatites, including increased temperature and pressure, allow for the formation of complex mineral structures. These environments typically have a lower viscosity, facilitating the movement of ions and enhancing crystal growth.
Are igneous rocks formed from smalll minerals?
Not necessarily. Intrusive igneous rocks, especially pegmatites, can have large crystals.
What are veins of extremely coarse grained igneous rocks called?
Veins of extremely coarse-grained igneous rocks are referred to as pegmatites. These veins are formed from the last minerals to crystallize in a cooling magma, resulting in very large crystals. Pegmatites can contain economically valuable minerals such as lithium, beryllium, and rare earth elements.
What are veins of extremely coarse-grained igneous rocks called?
Veins of extremely coarse-grained igneous rocks are called pegmatites. These veins form from the crystallization of mineral-rich magma, resulting in very large crystals due to slow cooling and high water content. Pegmatites are commonly found in association with granitic rocks.
What are teardrop shaped bodies with large crystals such as gemstones that form when magma moves upward?
Teardrop-shaped bodies with large crystals, often referred to as "pegmatites," form when magma cools slowly, allowing large crystals, such as gemstones, to develop. These formations typically occur in the final stages of magma crystallization, where the temperature and pressure conditions create an environment conducive to the growth of sizable mineral crystals. Pegmatites are commonly found in granitic environments and can contain rare minerals and gemstones due to the concentration of elements during crystallization.
Why are exceptionally large mineral crystals found in pegmatite?
They are associated with the late stages of granite intrusions and the minerals formed in pegmatites literally had the time to enjoy the benefits of a slow crystallization process from a rich chemical stew produced by the cooling granite. For an alternate hypothesis, see the link below.
Why are the crystals in pegmatites so large?
Very large silicate mineral grains (crystals) indicate extremely fast, in-melt transport of the mineral constituents to the growing crystals. We know that pegmatite magmas are small volume, relatively low temperature melts that are extremely rich in water and other dissolved volatiles. The volatiles promote very fast rates of material transfer, thus accounting for rapid growth of very large crystals.
What ore deposits and gem crystals are often associated with?
Ore deposits are often associated with hydrothermal processes, where minerals are deposited from hot fluids circulating in the Earth's crust. Gem crystals are often found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, where the conditions for their formation are present, such as high pressure and temperature.
What is a pegmatite texture?
A pegmatite is an intrusive igneous rock comprised of coarse, interlocking mineral grains usually above three centimeters in diameter. Although very many pegmatites are granitic in composition, several hundred mineral species have been found in the most famous pegmatites worldwide, including many rare and valuable minerals. A few discovered pegmatite crystals have grown to several meters across.
Vein deposits of extremely large-grained minerals that can contain rare ores such as lithium and beryllium?
These deposits are likely pegmatites, which are igneous rocks with exceptionally large crystals. Pegmatites can host rare minerals and ores due to their unique formation process, which involves late-stage crystallization of magma enriched in rare elements like lithium and beryllium. These deposits are important sources for these rare metals and are often mined for their economic value.
How are the ways in witch pluton and pegmatite minerals form similar?
Both plutons and pegmatites are formed from the slow cooling of molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. This slow cooling allows for the formation of large mineral crystals. Additionally, both plutons and pegmatites can contain a variety of minerals, often including rare or uncommon ones due to the unique conditions of their formation.
