What is a laccolith in geology?
1 Answer
Leave an answer
You must login to add an answer.
Sign up to join our community!
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
✳️Cinnabar is a toxic mercury sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of HgS. 🔷It is the only important ore of mercury. It has a bright red color that has caused people to use it as a pigment, and carve it into jewelry and ornaments for thousands of years in many parts of the world. Its […]
🔷Kimberlites, named after the town of Kimberly, South Africa, where they were first described, are volcanic rocks that originate in Earth’s mantle.🔷They are mined exclusively for diamonds. The photo shows the “Big Hole” at Kimberly.🔷The Hole was mined from 1871 to 1914 and reached a depth of 240 m below the surface. Subsequently it filled […]
Geological Time Scale The geological time scale is a system of chronological measurement that relates geological events and geological time to a numerical scale. It is used to describe the timing and relationships between events that have occurred throughout Earth’s history. The time scale is divided into four main parts: Eons, Eras, Periods, and Epochs. […] Table of Contents Toggle Geological Time Scale
What are Rare Earths? The Japanese call them “the seeds of technology.” The US Department of Energy calls them “technology metals.” They make possible the high tech world we live in today – everything from the miniaturization of electronics, to the enabling of green energy and medical technologies, to supporting a myriad of essential telecommunications and defense systems. […] Table of Contents Toggle What are Rare Earths?Which Elements ...
Geology 101 is the study of the Earth and its materials, structures, processes, and history. It is a broad field that encompasses many different disciplines, including mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, and geophysics. Geologists study the Earth’s physical features, including its rocks, minerals, soils, and water. They also study the Earth’s internal structure and the processes that […] Table of Contents Toggle Why Study Geology?What Do GEOSCIENTISTS ...
What is Volcano I heard about the volcano before 🤔??….We all see volcanoes in movies and news, but did you ask yourself why or how do they happen? On our trip today, we will explore the volcano and see its formation, why it happens, and how.. Are you ready, hero ??Let’s start our journey The […] Table of Contents Toggle What is VolcanoOne ...
An unconformity is a surface of erosion or non-deposition that separates two rock units that have different ages. It represents a time gap in the geologic record, and it occurs when sedimentary rocks are tilted, uplifted, and eroded before new sediment is deposited on top of them. There are three types of unconformities: Disconformities A […] Table of Contents Toggle There are three types of unconformities:
Minerals are homogeneous, naturally occurring, inorganic solids that have a definite crystalline structure and chemical composition. In 1995, the World Minerals Organization put another definition saying that “a mineral is an element or a chemical compound that is naturally crystalline and formed as a result of geological processes.”Minerals have their own specific physical properties which […] Table of Contents Toggle Minerals are classified according to their chemical composition.
Geology online Quizzes questions and answers. Free online quiz with multiple-choice questions (MCQ) without registration. Geology Multiple Choice Questions geology questions and answers | geology questions for competitive exams | geology exam questions. Geology quiz questions and answers.geology quizes. Geology online quiz.
Mohs hardness scale The Mohs hardness scale is a qualitative scale used to measure the scratch resistance of various minerals or materials. It was developed by Friedrich Mohs, a German mineralogist, in 1812. The scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Each mineral on the Mohs […] Table of Contents Toggle Mohs hardness scaleMohs Hardness Scale
A laccolith is a geological feature that is formed when molten magma intrudes into layers of sedimentary rock, causing the overlying rock layers to arch upward and create a dome-like structure. Laccoliths are a type of igneous intrusion and are characterized by their distinctive shape and formation.Read more
A laccolith is a geological feature that is formed when molten magma intrudes into layers of sedimentary rock, causing the overlying rock layers to arch upward and create a dome-like structure. Laccoliths are a type of igneous intrusion and are characterized by their distinctive shape and formation.
Key features and characteristics of laccoliths include:
1. **Intrusion into Sedimentary Rock:** Laccoliths are typically formed by the intrusion of relatively viscous (thick) magma into pre-existing layers of sedimentary rock, such as sandstone or shale.
2. **Dome-Shaped:** As the magma intrudes into the sedimentary layers, it pushes them upward, creating a dome-shaped or saucer-shaped structure. The overlying sedimentary rocks are often arched, and the central part of the laccolith may be thicker than the edges.
3. **Relatively Flat Base:** Laccoliths have a relatively flat base, where the magma has spread out horizontally between the layers of sedimentary rock. This flat base distinguishes them from other intrusive features like sills, which have a parallel orientation to the bedding of the rock layers.
4. **Solidification and Cooling:** Over time, the intruded magma cools and solidifies to form an igneous rock body within the sedimentary rock layers. This rock is often called the “laccolithic intrusion.”
5. **Surface Erosion:** In many cases, erosion processes over geological time scales can expose laccoliths at the Earth’s surface, revealing their characteristic dome shape.
6. **Commonly Associated with Mountain Building:** Laccoliths are often associated with mountain-building processes. The uplift and deformation caused by the intrusion of magma can contribute to the formation of mountain ranges.
7. **Famous Examples:** One of the most famous laccoliths is the Henry Mountains in Utah, USA, where several laccoliths have been exposed through erosion. The Enchanted Rock in Texas is another well-known example.
Laccoliths provide valuable insights into the geological history of an area, as they are indicative of the processes that have shaped the Earth’s crust over time. They also have economic significance, as some laccoliths can be associated with mineral deposits.
See less