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Igneous rocks are produced largely by the deposition and consolidation of surface materials like sand and mud. True or False?

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Final answer:

The statement is false; igneous rocks are not formed by deposition and consolidation of surface materials but by cooling and solidifying of magma or lava. Intrusive igneous rocks cool slowly underground, while extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly on the surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that igneous rocks are produced largely by the deposition and consolidation of surface materials like sand and mud is false. Igneous rocks form when magma or lava cools and solidifies. There are two main types of igneous rocks: intrusive igneous rocks and extrusive igneous rocks. Intrusive igneous rocks, such as granite, cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, resulting in a coarse-grained texture. Conversely, extrusive igneous rocks, such as basalt, are formed from lava that cools quickly at the surface, leading to a fine-grained or sometimes glassy texture. The description provided in the statement is actually characteristic of sedimentary rocks, which are indeed formed by the deposition, compaction, and cementation of surface materials.

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