Which type of igneous rock is formed from magma that cools beneath the Earth’s surface?

Magma that cools beneath the Earth's surface forms intrusive igneous rocks, also known as plutonic rocks. When magma rises towards the surface but solidifies before reaching it, the slow cooling process allows larger crystals to form, resulting in a coarse-grained texture typical of intrusive rocks. Common examples include granite and diorite.

In contrast, extrusive igneous rocks form when lava cools quickly on the Earth's surface, leading to a fine-grained texture with smaller crystals, such as basalt and pumice. Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure, while sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation of sediments and organic materials. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing the specific formation conditions and characteristics that define different rock types within the context of the rock cycle.