Differentiate the composition and texture of a plutonic igneous rock and a volcanic igneous rock.
This will give you an understandable comparison.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igneous_rocks
one of two conditions needed to melt minerals inot magma
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To differentiate the composition and texture of plutonic igneous rocks and volcanic igneous rocks, we need to understand the formation processes and environments of these rocks.
Plutonic igneous rocks, also known as intrusive igneous rocks, form beneath the Earth's surface. Magma cools slowly over a long period of time, allowing for the growth of large mineral crystals. This slow cooling results in the formation of coarse-grained rocks with clearly visible minerals. The composition of plutonic rocks can vary, but common examples include granite, diorite, and gabbro. These rocks typically have a granular texture, with interlocking crystals.
Volcanic igneous rocks, also called extrusive igneous rocks, form when magma reaches the Earth's surface and rapidly cools. This rapid cooling prevents the growth of large mineral crystals, resulting in fine-grained rocks. The formation of volcanic rocks is usually associated with volcanic eruptions. Examples of volcanic rocks include basalt, andesite, and rhyolite. These rocks have a compact texture, often with microscopic mineral grains that are not easily visible to the naked eye.
To differentiate between the composition of these rocks, we can analyze the mineral content. Plutonic rocks, such as granite, are composed mainly of minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. Volcanic rocks, such as basalt, are typically composed of minerals like plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, and olivine. The specific minerals present in each rock type can help identify their composition.
To analyze the texture, we can use the naked eye or a hand lens to observe the size and arrangement of mineral grains. Plutonic rocks have coarse-grained textures, with minerals that are often easily visible to the naked eye. Volcanic rocks have fine-grained textures, with minerals that are typically too small to be seen without magnification.
In summary, the main differences between plutonic igneous rocks and volcanic igneous rocks lie in their formation environments, cooling rates, and resulting textures. Plutonic rocks form beneath the Earth's surface, cool slowly, and have coarse-grained, granular textures. Volcanic rocks form on the Earth's surface, cool rapidly, and have fine-grained, compact textures. The mineral composition of these rocks can also differ, reflecting the specific minerals present in each rock type.