Unlocking The Secrets Of Plutons: Earth’s Buried Treasure Troves Of Crystal Growth
A pluton, or intrusive igneous body, forms when magma cools beneath Earth’s surface, resulting in slow cooling and large crystal growth, unlike extrusive lava. Plutons typically exceed 100 km² in surface area, emplace at depth, cut across surrounding rocks, and exhibit medium to coarse grains. Their composition varies from silica-rich to iron- and magnesium-rich, influencing…