Magmatic Differentiation

Magmatic differentiation is the process by which different types of rocks form from a single magma source. As magma cools, minerals crystallize at different temperatures, with some solidifying earlier than others. These early-formed crystals can settle out or stay suspended, changing the composition of the remaining liquid magma. Over time, this leads to the formation of diverse rock types, like granite or basalt, from the original magma. This process explains why Earth's crust has such a variety of rocks, all originating from a common magma source but evolving through mineral separation during cooling.