BATHOLITH Meaning and
Definition
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A batholith is a large, intrusive igneous rock mass that forms deep beneath the Earth's surface. It is characterized by its vast size and is typically composed of coarse-grained rocks such as granite or diorite. Batholiths are commonly formed during the process of magmatic intrusion, where molten rock material (magma) rises and solidifies in the Earth's crust.
With an average size ranging from a few kilometers to hundreds of kilometers in diameter, batholiths are one of the largest types of igneous intrusions. They generally tend to have a domed or pancake-like shape due to their massive size, often protruding as a large mound or hill in the landscape.
Batholiths are composed of multiple individual plutons, which are bodies of cooled magma that have crystallized underground. These plutons often exhibit a coarse-grained texture due to their slow cooling process, allowing for the formation of mineral crystals that are visible to the naked eye. The composition of a batholith can vary, but it is commonly dominated by granite, which is composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Over millions of years, the process of erosion and uplift exposes batholiths at the Earth's surface, exposing their beautiful, granitic features. These massive rock bodies are not only of great geological interest, but they also have practical applications as sources of building materials, including decorative stones and dimension stones.
Common Misspellings for BATHOLITH
Etymology of BATHOLITH
The word "batholith" is derived from the Greek words "bathos" meaning "depth" and "lithos" meaning "stone". The term was coined in the early 20th century by American geologist and petrologist Grove Karl Gilbert. A batholith refers to a large, irregularly shaped mass of igneous rock (formed through solidification of molten material) that extends deep within the earth's crust. The term batholith aptly describes these deep-seated, intrusive bodies composed of solid rocks.
Similar spelling words for BATHOLITH
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