Igneous Rock Definition
Igneous rock forms from cooled magma or lava. For example, lava cools quickly above the surface to form igneous rock.
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Rocks & Minerals (Including Rock Cycle)
Fun Facts
- Obsidian forms when lava cools down fast.
- Igneous rocks form by liquid magma cooling near Earth's surface.
- Igneous rock breaks apart over thousands of years to form sediment.
Why Do We Need To Know About Igneous Rock
Learning about igneous rocks helps us see how they’re used in many ways and why they’re important for different jobs. For example, gabbro is used to make roads and granite is used in buildings, showing how these rocks help in making things we use every day. Also, people a long time ago used obsidian, another type of igneous rock, to make sharp tools and weapons.
These rocks are also important in new technology and exploring space. Quartz, a mineral from igneous rocks, is used in electronics because it can keep time when powered. Studying igneous rocks on Earth and other planets like Mars shows how geology, the study of rocks, is not just about the past but also about finding new things in space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the Full Lesson on Rocks & Minerals (Including Rock Cycle)
In this lesson, we learn that:
- A mineral is a natural solid with a characteristic crystal shape.
- Rocks are made of mineral pieces mixed together.
- Rocks form, break down and move through the rock cycle.
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