What are intrusive igneous rocks? How are they formed? Learn about igneous rocks and the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks. See various examples.

Intrusive igneous rock, also known as phaneritic rock, is rock that is formed from magma trapped within the Earth. The rocks are referred to as intrusive because they are formed inside the Earth.

Comparison with Extrusive Igneous Rocks Basalt is an example of an extrusive igneous rock. Unlike intrusive rocks, the mineral crystals in basalt cannot be seen because it cooled quickly from lava.

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock. Granite formed when magma from the Earth's mantle rose to the surface, but did not quite break through. Instead, it cooled slowly in a pocket of Earth just ...

Learn about igneous rocks. Discover what an igneous rock is and how they are formed. Also learn about the different types of igneous rocks, along with examples.

Gabbro is an intrusive igneous rock, meaning that magma is pushed up from the mantle below into overlying rock in the crust and cooled. Because relatively warm rocks surrounded gabbro, the ...

Igneous rocks are created when lava cools and becomes hard. Learn how igneous rocks are formed and discover the two types of igneous rocks: intrusive and extrusive.

Learn the igneous definition and see what makes igneous rocks. Compare plutonic vs. volcanic rocks and see how they form with volcanic and plutonic rocks examples.

Below are two examples of intrusive igneous rocks. Notice the larger crystals that form, as these rocks cool more slowly inside the earth's crust.

Explore the characteristics of intrusive igneous rocks in just 5 minutes! Discover how they form beneath the Earth's surface and see real-life examples, followed by a quiz.