Describing rocks formed directly from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava. These rocks can form either underground when magma cools slowly, or on the surface when lava cools quickly.
From Latin 'ignis' meaning fire, reflecting the fiery origin of these rocks. The term was introduced to geology in the 1660s by early Earth scientists who recognized that some rocks showed clear evidence of having been melted and reformed.
Igneous rocks are the Earth's original building blocks - they're literally born from fire! Granite countertops in kitchens are made from igneous rock that formed deep underground millions of years ago, while obsidian arrowheads used by ancient peoples came from volcanic glass that cooled so quickly it didn't have time to form crystals. The entire ocean floor is made of igneous rock constantly being created at underwater volcanic ridges.
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