Intrusive igneous rocks, also known as plutonic rocks, are primarily found in the Earth’s crust. They form when magma cools and solidifies beneath the surface. This process happens very slowly, allowing large crystals to form within the rock. Some common locations where you can find intrusive igneous rocks include:
- Mountain Ranges: Many mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada in the United States, are rich in intrusive igneous rocks like granite.
- Batholiths: These are large masses of intrusive rock that have formed from cooled magma. They can be exposed at the surface due to erosion.
- Volcanic Arcs: Regions near tectonic plate boundaries where magma is generated, and intrusive rocks can be present under the surface.
In summary, intrusive igneous rocks are found primarily in the crust of the Earth, particularly in mountainous areas and at tectonic plate boundaries, where they are formed from the slow cooling of magma buried beneath the surface.