Plutonism

Plutonism is a scientific theory proposing that rocks like granite and volcanic igneous rocks form from the cooling and solidification of molten rock, called magma, beneath Earth's surface. This idea contrasts with earlier beliefs that such rocks originated from organic processes, like the accumulation of fossils. Plutonists argue that many landforms and rocks are created by underground magma cooling slowly, leading to the formation of large crystals. The theory helped scientists understand volcanic activity, mountain formation, and the Earth's crust's structure, emphasizing the role of internal geological processes in shaping the planet’s surface.