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  • Intrusive vs. Extrusive Magma Rocks: Understanding the Difference
    No, magmas are not classified as intrusive or extrusive. Igneous rocks are classified as intrusive or extrusive, depending on where they cool and solidify.

    Here's the breakdown:

    * Magma: Molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface.

    * Intrusive igneous rocks: Formed when magma cools and solidifies *inside* the Earth's crust. Examples: granite, gabbro.

    * Extrusive igneous rocks: Formed when magma erupts onto the Earth's surface (as lava) and cools and solidifies. Examples: basalt, rhyolite.

    So, while magma is the source material for igneous rocks, it's not the rock itself. The term "intrusive" or "extrusive" refers to the *process* of how the rock was formed.

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