What type of igneous rock is likely to contain large crystals?

Prepare for the Fundamentals of Geology Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and detailed explanations. Get ready to ace your geology test!

Plutonic (intrusive) igneous rock is characterized by the formation process that occurs beneath the Earth's surface, where magma cools slowly within the crust. This slow cooling allows large crystals to form as minerals have more time to grow. The result is a coarse-grained texture, which is typical of intrusive rocks.

In contrast, volcanic (extrusive) igneous rocks are formed from lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, typically resulting in a much finer-grained texture where crystals are typically small or not visible to the naked eye. Basalt, which is a type of volcanic rock, is an example of this, as it is generally very fine-grained and does not contain large crystals.

Granite is a specific type of plutonic rock that indeed consists of large crystals, but the question specifically refers to the type of rock as plutonic. Thus, while granite is a correct example of an intrusive igneous rock containing large crystals, the broader category of plutonic igneous rocks captures all varieties that have this crystalline characteristic resulting from slow cooling of magma.

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