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Igneous Rocks
NAME CHARACTERISTICS ORIGIN
Granite Coarse - acid Intrusive batholiths
Pegmatite Coarse - acid - very large crystals Deep batholiths and dykes
Diorite Coarse - intermediate Dykes associated with granite
Syenite Coarse - intermediate - often pink Dykes and sills near granite
Gabbro Coarse - basic Large intrusions
Larvikite Coarse - intermediate Small sills
Anorthosite Coarse - basic - aligned grains Layered intrusions; also found on the moon
Dolerite Medium - basic - dark in colour Dykes and sills near basalt
Dunite Medium - ultrabasic Intrusions from great depth
Kimberlite Coarse - ultrabasic - sometimes diamond-bearing Pipes of ancient volcanoes deep underground
Peridotite Coarse - ultrabasic Intrusions
Rhyolite Fine - acid Explosive volcanic eruptions
Obsidian Glassy - acid - black, occasionally with "snowflakes" Acid lava subjected to rapid cooling
Lamprophyre Medium - acid/basic Dykes and sills near granite
Andesite Fine - intermediate - dark in colour Volcanic eruptions
Trachyte Fine - intermediate Lava flows, dykes and sills
Basalt Fine - basic - dark in colour Volcanic eruptions - the commonest lava
Tuff Fine - acid/basic Volcanic vents
Pumice Fine - acid/basic - sometimes can float on water Frothy lava cooled rapidly
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