What Are Two Common Uses of Igneous Rocks?

Igneous rocks have a wide variety of uses. One important use is as stone for buildings and statues. Diorite was used extensively by ancient civilizations for vases and other decorative artwork and is still used for art today (figure 1). Granite (figure 2) is used both in building construction and for statues.

What Are Two Common Uses of Igneous Rocks?

Igneous rocks are one of the three main rock types and are formed when molten rock (magma or lava) cools and solidifies. They are either intrusive (cooling underground) or extrusive (cooling above ground).

The main difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks is their grain size. Intrusive igneous rocks have large crystals (coarse grained), while extrusive igneous rocks have small crystals (fine grained or aphanitic).

Igneous rocks are used for a variety of purposes, including: Construction: Igneous rocks are used as construction materials, such as in the production of bricks, tiles, and concrete.

Landscaping: Igneous rocks are also used in landscaping, including as decorative stones, crushed stone for gravel, and in the construction of rock gardens.

Jewelry: Some igneous rocks, such as obsidian and tektites, are used in the production of jewelry. Igneous rocks are also used in the production of cement, asphalt, and glass.