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The crystals in basalt that formed underwater are typically smaller due to the rapid cooling of lava when it comes into contact with water. This rapid cooling prevents the crystals from having enough time to grow larger, resulting in a finer-grained texture. In contrast, basalt that cools on the ground generally does so more slowly, allowing for the formation of larger crystals. This difference in cooling rates is a key factor in the size disparity of the crystals.

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Why are the crystals in pillow basalt smaller than the crystals in basalt that forms in the ground?

Pillow basalt is formed from solidifying lava which erupts under the surface of a body of water. Because of this, it cools much faster, allowing less time for crystal growth.


What is the name of A dark rock with small crystals formed on the surface of the earth?

Most generally, an igneous rock with small crystals formed from the cooling of lava on the surface of the Earth would be classified as basalt.


What are two types of igneous rock?

Two types of igneous rock are intrusive (also called plutonic) and extrusive. There is also porphyry rock which is partly intrusive and partly extrusive. Porphyry rock has large crystals embedded in a mass of much smaller crystals. The large crystals formed underground as does intrusive rock, and were carried in lava when it erupted. The mass of smaller crystals formed around the large crystals when the lava cooled quickly above ground, as does extrusive rock.


What is an intrusive black rock found in the ocean?

An intrusive black rock found in the ocean is likely basalt, which is a common volcanic rock formed from cooled lava flows. Basalt is known for its dark color and can be found in underwater volcanic eruptions and oceanic crust formations.


Why would granite have large crystals than igneous rock formed from lava cooled above Earth's suface?

Granite has larger crystals because it forms from the slow cooling of magma deep within the Earth's crust, allowing more time for crystals to grow. In contrast, igneous rocks formed from lava that cools quickly at or near the Earth's surface, such as basalt, typically have smaller crystals due to the rapid solidification process. This difference in cooling rates is key to the crystal size in these two types of igneous rocks.

Related Questions

Why are crystals in basalt that formed under water smaller than those in basalt that formed on ground?

Crystals in basalt that formed underwater are smaller because they cool faster in the water, resulting in less time for the crystals to grow. On the other hand, crystals in basalt that formed on the ground have more time to grow as they cool more slowly, leading to larger crystal sizes.


Why are the crystals in pillow basalt smaller than the crystals in basalt that forms in the ground?

Pillow basalt is formed from solidifying lava which erupts under the surface of a body of water. Because of this, it cools much faster, allowing less time for crystal growth.


What is the name of A dark rock with small crystals formed on the surface of the earth?

Most generally, an igneous rock with small crystals formed from the cooling of lava on the surface of the Earth would be classified as basalt.


Where is basalt and gabbro formed?

Basalt is formed from volcanic lava flows that cool quickly on the Earth's surface, while gabbro is formed from the slow cooling of magma deep underground. Both rocks contain similar mineral compositions, with basalt having fine-grained crystals and gabbro having coarse-grained crystals.


What is different from crystals underground than above?

Underground crystals are bigger where as crystals formed on the surface are smaller.


Why does Granite take much longer to form than Basalt?

hmmm, granite is intrusive, formed and cooled slowly at depth with larger individual crystals. Basalt is extrusive, fine grained (small crystals and cooled quickly. The intrusive equivalent of basalt is gabbro. For granite; rhylolite


In what way will crystals be different from the crystals formed when lava solidifies above ground?

Crystals formed from lava that solidifies above ground are typically smaller due to the faster cooling process, resulting in fine-grained rocks like basalt. Crystals formed underground from slower cooling have more time to grow and can develop larger sizes, leading to coarse-grained rocks like granite. The cooling rate affects crystal size and the overall texture of the rock.


What are two types of igneous rock?

Two types of igneous rock are intrusive (also called plutonic) and extrusive. There is also porphyry rock which is partly intrusive and partly extrusive. Porphyry rock has large crystals embedded in a mass of much smaller crystals. The large crystals formed underground as does intrusive rock, and were carried in lava when it erupted. The mass of smaller crystals formed around the large crystals when the lava cooled quickly above ground, as does extrusive rock.


What rock has larger crystals than basalt and granite?

A pegmatite is a rock formed under certain favorable circumstances that enhance the crystal size of the rock. The crystals would be larger than those in basalt, an extrusive igneous rock, and granite, and intrusive igneous rock.


What is an intrusive black rock found in the ocean?

An intrusive black rock found in the ocean is likely basalt, which is a common volcanic rock formed from cooled lava flows. Basalt is known for its dark color and can be found in underwater volcanic eruptions and oceanic crust formations.


What is a rock with large crystals scattered on a background of much smaller crystals called?

A rock with large crystals scattered on a background of much smaller crystals is called a porphyry. This rock texture is the result of two stages of cooling, where large crystals formed during the slower cooling stage, followed by smaller crystals forming during rapid cooling.


Does basalt have small grains?

Yes, basalt typically has small grains as a result of its fine-grained texture formed from the rapid cooling of lava at the Earth's surface. This texture results in a characteristic appearance with small crystals that are often difficult to see with the naked eye.