What type of igneous rock is formed below the Earth's surface?

Igneous rocks are formed from the solidification of molten rock, known as magma or lava. When this process takes place below the Earth's surface, the rock formed is classified as intrusive igneous rock. This type of rock cools and solidifies slowly underground due to the high pressures and temperatures present, which allows larger crystals to form within the rock.

Intrusive igneous rocks, such as granite and diorite, often have a coarse-grained texture because of the slow cooling process. This contrasts with extrusive igneous rocks, which form when lava erupts on the Earth’s surface and cools quickly, resulting in a finer-grained texture. The distinction between intrusive and extrusive types is essential in understanding the formation of various igneous rocks and their characteristics.

Metamorphic rocks, on the other hand, are not formed from molten material but instead arise from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids. Clastic rocks, typically sedimentary, form from the accumulation and cementation of fragments of other rocks and mineral grains, further distinguishing them from igneous rock types.