Slow cooling below the surface results in?

Prepare for the Introduction to Physical Geology Exam with study guides and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with hints and detailed explanations to help you grasp key concepts in geology. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Slow cooling below the surface results in?

Explanation:
Cooling rate controls crystal size in igneous rocks. When magma cools slowly beneath the surface, atoms have time to migrate and join into growing crystals, so minerals become larger and the rock has a coarse-grained texture. This slow, underground cooling is typical of intrusive rocks like granite. If cooling is rapid at or near the surface, many small crystals form or a glassy texture appears if cooling is almost instantaneous. Therefore, slow cooling below the surface results in larger mineral crystals.

Cooling rate controls crystal size in igneous rocks. When magma cools slowly beneath the surface, atoms have time to migrate and join into growing crystals, so minerals become larger and the rock has a coarse-grained texture. This slow, underground cooling is typical of intrusive rocks like granite. If cooling is rapid at or near the surface, many small crystals form or a glassy texture appears if cooling is almost instantaneous. Therefore, slow cooling below the surface results in larger mineral crystals.

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