Crystallization is a key process in the rock cycle where magma or lava cools and solidifies to form igneous rocks. When molten rock material, known as magma, cools down, either beneath the Earth’s surface or after a volcanic eruption, it begins to solidify. During this cooling process, minerals within the magma start to form crystals. The size of these crystals depends on the rate of cooling: slow cooling allows larger crystals to form, while rapid cooling results in smaller crystals.
This process is crucial because it leads to the formation of various types of igneous rocks, such as granite, basalt, and pumice. Crystallization not only contributes to the diversity of rocks on Earth but also plays a significant role in the recycling of Earth’s materials through the rock cycle.