pluton Definition
- 1a body of intrusive igneous rock that crystallized from magma slowly cooling below the surface of the Earth
- 2a large body of plutonic rock
Using pluton: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pluton" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Yosemite National Park is famous for its granite plutons.
Example
The Sierra Nevada batholith is a massive pluton that formed during the Mesozoic Era.
Example
The exposed plutons in Joshua Tree National Park are popular with rock climbers.
pluton Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with pluton
a type of pluton that has been injected between two layers of sedimentary rock, causing the overlying rock to bulge upward
Example
The Henry Mountains in Utah are famous for their laccoliths.
a long, narrow pluton that cuts across the surrounding rock
Example
The Palisades Sill in New Jersey is a dike that is over 300 meters thick.
a tabular pluton that has been injected parallel to the surrounding rock layers
Example
The Great Whin Sill in England is a sill that is over 30 meters thick.
Summary: pluton in Brief
'Pluton' [ploo-ton] refers to a large body of intrusive igneous rock that slowly crystallized from magma beneath the Earth's surface. This type of rock is often found in national parks and other geological formations, such as Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada batholith. Other types of plutons include laccoliths, dikes, and sills.