Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
batholith
Noun
/ˈbæθəˌlɪθ/
Definition
A large, intrusive igneous rock body that has cooled and solidified deep within the Earth’s crust.
Examples
- The Sierra Nevada batholith in California is one of the largest known in the world.
- Geologists study batholiths to understand the Earth’s geological history and processes.
- The granite found in batholiths can often contain valuable minerals.
Meaning
Batholiths are formed from magma that has slowly cooled and crystallized beneath the surface, typically over a large area.
Synonyms
- Igneous intrusion
- Plutonic rock
- Granite mass
