Rock Formation IGNEOUS:

Introduction:
1. The following is an explanation of two igneous rocks, granite
and basalt.

Intrusive Rocks:
1. Granite, an intrusive or plutonic rock, is formed when molten
magma from the mantle undergoes the process of
crystallisation deep underground for long periods of time.
2. Granite is formed at destructive plate boundaries, where a
heavier oceanic plate is forced beneath a lighter continental
plate, where it is melted and recycled in a process called
subduction.
3. The magma from this newly melted plate rises into the
continental plate above it, forcing its way into the rock
cavities or between the layers of the rock.
4. The magma then cools and solidifies slowly over millions of
years at a depth of several kilometres below the surface to
eventually form granite.
5. Granite is then eventually brought to the surface as a result of
uplift and the removal of overlying rocks by the processes of
weathering and erosion (denudation).
6. Because Granite is cooled so slowly, crystals are given time
to develop and grow, resulting in the rock having large
crystals of feldspar, mica and quartz and being coarsegrained.
7. Irish granite was formed during the Devonian Period, the
formation of the Caledonian Mountains, and magma was
injected into the crust as it was folded during plate collision,
forming a granite batholith.
8. An example of granite can be found at the Wicklow
Mountains, Co. Wicklow.

Extrusive Rocks:
1. Basalt, an extrusive or volcanic rock, is formed when magma
from the mantle reaches the earths surface at volcanic cones,
hotspots and mid-ocean ridges.
2. The magma, which erupts as lava on the earths surface, cools
rapidly when it comes into contact with the atmosphere or the
ocean.
3. The rapid cooling of the lava results in the basalt rock being
covered in microscopic crystals, making the rock fine-grained
and very resistant to weathering and erosion.
4. In Ireland, basalt formed about 60 million years ago when
highly fluid basic magma, containing less than 55% silica,
erupted to the surface through cracks or fissures in the crust.
5. The lava then contracted on cooling forming hexagonal or
six-sided columns, a formation evident at the Giants
Causeway in Co. Antrim.
6. Acidic lava contains more than 55% silica and does not flow
fluidly as it has a pasty texture, resulting in the formation of
basalt domes, e.g. Mount St. Helens, USA.
7. An example of basalt can be found at the Antrim-Derry
plateau.