batholite
Definition
Noun: A batholite (also spelled batholith) is a very large, irregularly shaped mass of intrusive igneous rock. It forms from magma that cools and solidifies deep beneath the Earth's surface. Batholites are typically composed of coarse-grained rocks like granite and are the core of many major mountain ranges.
Usage
The word "batholite" is a specialized geological term. It is used to describe a specific, massive underground rock formation. - Geologists studied the batholite to understand the region's volcanic history. - The mountain range is underlain by a granite batholite.
Advanced Usage
- Formation Context: The term is often used when discussing plutonic rock formations, tectonics, and the deep structure of continents.
- The Sierra Nevada range is a classic example of a batholite exposed by erosion.
Variants and Related Words
- Batholith (n): The more common spelling, synonymous with "batholite."
- Pluton (n): A general term for any body of intrusive igneous rock. A batholite is the largest type of pluton.
- Stock (n): A smaller, similar intrusive body with a surface area less than 100 square kilometers.
Synonyms
- Plutonic mass
- Deep-seated intrusion
Related Terms (Not Synonyms)
- Intrusive rock: The category of rock formed from magma that cools below the surface, which includes batholites.
- Granite: A common type of rock found in batholites.
Noun
-
large mass of intrusive igneous rock believed to have solidified deep within the earth
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