EXTRUSIVE Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "extrusive" refers to a geological process or feature related to the formation of igneous rocks that are formed through volcanic activities at the Earth's surface. It describes the type of volcanic rock that is produced when molten lava is ejected onto the surface and cools relatively quickly, solidifying to form volcanic landforms and structures.
In a geological context, extrusive rocks are formed through the extrusion of magma, or molten rock, onto the Earth's surface during volcanic eruptions. As it emerges from a volcanic vent or fissure, the lava quickly cools and solidifies due to atmospheric conditions, resulting in the formation of extrusive igneous rocks. This rapid cooling leads to the formation of fine-grained or glassy textures in the rock.
Extrusive rocks generally have a characteristic appearance, with their mineral grains being too small to observe without the aid of a microscope. Common types of extrusive rocks include basalt, andesite, and rhyolite, each having different mineral compositions and characteristics.
Extrusive landforms formed by the accumulation of extrusive igneous rocks include volcanic cones, lava flows, and volcanic domes. These features may be found in volcanic regions where volcanic activity has occurred. In addition to serving as visual evidence of past volcanic eruptions, extrusive rocks also provide valuable geological information about Earth's volcanic history and the processes that have shaped its surface.
Common Misspellings for EXTRUSIVE
Etymology of EXTRUSIVE
The word "extrusive" derives from the Latin term "extrusus", which is the past participle of the verb "extrudere". In Latin, "extrudere" is composed of two elements: "ex", meaning "out", and "trudere", meaning "to thrust" or "to push". Therefore, the combined meaning of "extrudere" is "to thrust out" or "to push out". The word "extrusive" maintains this sense of something being pushed or thrust out, and it is often used in geological contexts to describe volcanic rocks that are formed by the solidification of molten materials as they are extruded or forced out of a volcano.
Similar spelling words for EXTRUSIVE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
