Igneous rock can form where tectonic plates diverge or converge.

Learn how
the movement of tectonic plates can create the right conditions of the
solidification of magma and the formation of igneous rocks.

Igneous Rocks

Let's say you're on a scavenger hunt and the last item you need to find is an
igneous rock. You learned that igneous rocks are rocks that form from the
cooling and solidifying of magma or lava, which is the name given to magma
that reaches the surface of the earth and the stuff you think of flowing down
the side of a volcano.

Armed with this knowledge you might hop on a plane and fly to the closest
active volcanic mountain to hunt for an igneous rock.

General Classification of Igneous Rocks

Well, this would be one option open to you, but did you know that igneous
rocks can also be found at the bottom of the ocean as well as deep
underground? This is because igneous rock formation is linked to the
movement of tectonic plates. we will learn more about tectonic plates and
how their movements lead to the formation of igneous rocks.

Tectonic Plates

So let's start by making sure we understand what tectonic plates are. There
is a theory, called plate tectonics, which states that the Earth's crust is
broken up into plates. In other words, if you were to strip everything off of
the Earth's surface and drain all of the water, the remaining shell of the

planet would look like it was cracked, much like the fractures that happen
when you crack the shell of a hardboiled egg.

The plate-like sections of earth's crust are called tectonic plates.

These massive tectonic plates are able to move and they basically float on
top of the hot, deep layers of the earth. These hot, deep layers are where we
see magma forming. As these plates float around, they interact with each
other. They can either get closer together or drift apart, and this tectonic
plate movement gives us the right conditions for the formation of igneous
rocks.

What's the difference between an active and passive continental margin?

Diverging Tectonic Plates and Igneous Rocks

Let's take a look at igneous rock formation where tectonic plates move apart
or diverge. As these massive plates of the earth's crust slowly separate from
each other, magma from below the crust has an opportunity to squeeze up
through the gap and reach the surface. This can even happen if the
boundary between plates is found at the bottom of the ocean. In fact,
diverging tectonic plates are responsible for the formation of the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge, which is a continuous mountain chain located under the surface of the
sea. As the magma makes its way through the opening created by the
diverging plates, the magma meets up with the cooler temperatures,
allowing it to solidify into igneous rock.

Converging Tectonic Plates and Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks can also form where plates bump up against each other.
Sometimes when tectonic plates converge they create an area where one

tectonic plate is pushed under another plate. This area is referred to as a

subduction zone. The subducting plate is pushed into the hotter, deeper
layers of the Earth, where it melts. This newly melted rock is less dense than
the solid rock it originated from, so it starts to rise toward the surface. It will
either solidify underground or make its way to the surface as lava and then
solidify, but either way it will form igneous rock.
read also:
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