LACCOLITH Meaning and
Definition
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A laccolith, as defined in geology, refers to a type of igneous intrusion that is formed when molten magma is injected into the crust of the Earth and accumulates within a bowl-shaped depression. This intrusive rock formation is typically characterized by a dome shape with a flat or slightly concave bottom. Laccoliths are often composed of various types of rocks, such as granite or diorite, and can vary in size, with some reaching several kilometers in diameter and rising several hundred meters above the surrounding area's surface.
The formation of a laccolith begins when magma, generated from the deeper layers of the Earth's mantle, rises upwards, exploiting weaknesses or fractures within the overlying rock layers. As the magma ascends, it encounters less resistant layers of sedimentary or volcanic rock, causing it to pool and accumulate, forming the characteristic dome shape. Over time, the laccolith may become exposed due to significant erosion of the overlaying rocks, leading to its prominent appearance at the Earth's surface.
Laccoliths are significant geological features as they often influence the topography and landscape of an area, creating uplifted regions or mountainous terrain. They can also be associated with mineral deposits and hydrocarbon reserves, making them of interest to natural resource exploration.
In summary, a laccolith is a dome-shaped intrusive rock formation created by the accumulation of magma, thus enhancing the landscape and geological characteristics of the surrounding region.
Common Misspellings for LACCOLITH
- kaccolith
- paccolith
- oaccolith
- lzccolith
- lsccolith
- lwccolith
- lqccolith
- laxcolith
- lavcolith
- lafcolith
- ladcolith
- lacxolith
- lacvolith
- lacfolith
- lacdolith
- laccilith
- laccklith
- laccllith
- laccplith
Etymology of LACCOLITH
The word "laccolith" is derived from two Latin words: "lacus", meaning "lake", and "lithos", meaning "stone" or "rock". It was first coined in the 1870s by the American geologist Grove Karl Gilbert, who used it to describe certain geological formations found in the Southwest United States. These formations are characterized by igneous intrusions that have uplifted and deformed the overlying sedimentary rocks, creating dome-shaped structures resembling a "stone lake" or "lake of stone". The term "laccolith" has since been widely used in the field of geology to describe these specific types of intrusive igneous formations.
Similar spelling words for LACCOLITH
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