What type of rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

Igneous rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, making it a crucial component in understanding geological processes. When magma, which resides beneath the Earth's surface, rises and cools either slowly underground or more rapidly at the surface after a volcanic eruption, it transforms into solid rock. This process can result in two types of igneous rocks: intrusive (or plutonic) rocks, which form from magma that cools slowly and solidifies below the Earth's surface, and extrusive (or volcanic) rocks, which form from lava that cools quickly after a volcanic eruption.

This classification distinguishes igneous rocks from metamorphic rocks, which result from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids without melting. Sedimentary rocks, on the other hand, are formed through the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles. Fossilized rock is not a formal classification in geology, though it refers to rocks where fossils are preserved, often indicating sedimentary processes. Understanding the formation processes of these different rock types highlights the dynamic nature of Earth's geology.