plutonic rock
- noun
- /pluˈtɑnɪk rɑk/
- Specialized
:
roca plutónica
- Granite is a type of plutonic rock that forms from magma cooling slowly beneath the Earth's surface.
Examples
-
The main argument against grain annexation and coalescence as the primary processes that result in the formation of coarse-grained textures in plutonic rocks is based on the likely extent of undercooling in large intrusions.
Academic text (2018) -
If this second, now apparently ruling, paradigm were correct, felsic plutonic rocks should be somewhat more mafic than their supposed complementary volcanic fractions, but this is not supported by the statistical evidence.
Academic text (2018) -
Such fabrics are not generally observed in plutonic rocks, in which plagioclase crystals are instead generally elongated parallel to (010).
Academic text (2018) -
Geologists study the mineral composition of plutonic rocks to understand the conditions deep within the Earth.
-
Many mountain ranges are comprised of plutonic rock, which was created by the solidification of magma over millions of years.
Synonyms
3
8.1
Molten rock pushing into other rock under the ground
1
9.9
A coarse rock formed when hot melted rock cools with very large crystals often containing rare minerals
1
9.9
A large mass of hard rock that forms when hot liquid rock deep underground cools slowly
A very large body of hard rock formed deep under the ground
A very large mass of hard rock formed when hot liquid rock deep under the ground cooled
A hard rock like granite with large grains and more light minerals
A light-colored rock made mostly of a white mineral that forms when melted rock cools
How Plutonic
- Specialized
- Specialized
4
3.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'plutonic' specifies the type of 'rock' (igneous rock formed deep underground), so the combined meaning is directly derivable from the constituents. Although 'plutonic' is specialized geological vocabulary, a learner who knows that adjective will immediately understand the noun phrase, making it compositional and predictable.
Etymology
Plutonic rock may come from Pluto, the god of the underworld, because these rocks form deep under the ground. So plutonic and rock together mean a 'rock formed deep below the surface'.