What type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

Study for the NCFE Earth Science Test. Utilize quizzes and flashcards, with each multiple choice question offering hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly for your exam!

Igneous rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. When magma, which is molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface, cools slowly underground, it creates intrusive igneous rocks, such as granite. Conversely, when lava, which is magma that has reached the Earth's surface, cools quickly, it results in extrusive igneous rocks, such as basalt. The key characteristic that defines igneous rocks is that they originate from the process of melting and subsequent cooling, which differentiates them from other rock types. Metamorphic rocks, on the other hand, are created through the alteration of existing rocks under heat and pressure, while sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments. Composite rock is not a standard classification in geology, as it implies a combination but does not specifically denote a formation process. Therefore, igneous rock is the category that directly aligns with the process of solidification from magma or lava.

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