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

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Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. When magma rises to the Earth's surface and erupts as lava, it cools and crystallizes to form igneous rock. This process can occur either beneath the surface, resulting in intrusive or plutonic igneous rocks, or at the surface, producing extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks. The mineral composition and cooling rate significantly affect the characteristics of the resulting igneous rock, leading to a variety of textures and types.

In contrast, metamorphic rock is formed from the alteration of existing rock due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids without the rock melting. Sedimentary rock is created from the accumulation of sediment, which can include mineral particles, organic material, and chemical precipitates, through processes like compaction and cementation. Foliated rock is a specific classification of metamorphic rock that showcases banding and layered textures due to the alignment of minerals under pressure, but it is not formed from the cooling of magma or lava.

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