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  • Color of Igneous Rocks Formed from Near-Surface Melt: Composition & Cooling
    The majority of igneous rocks made from melted near-surface material are light in color, often described as light gray, tan, or even pink.

    Here's why:

    * Composition: Near-surface melts are typically rich in silica (SiO2), which is the main component of feldspar and quartz, both light-colored minerals.

    * Cooling Rate: The rapid cooling of near-surface lava leads to smaller crystals, giving the rock a fine-grained texture that further contributes to its lighter color.

    Examples:

    * Rhyolite: A felsic extrusive rock with a light gray to pink color.

    * Andesite: An intermediate extrusive rock that can range in color from light gray to dark gray.

    * Basalt: A mafic extrusive rock is typically dark gray to black, but some basalts can have a light gray or brown color if they are rich in silica.

    It's important to note that the color of an igneous rock can vary depending on its mineral composition and the presence of other elements like iron and magnesium.

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