Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneou

Which one of the following is the lowermost/innermost intrusive igneous rock ?

Laccolith
Batholith
Lopolith
Phacolith
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2023
The correct answer is B) Batholith.
Intrusive igneous rocks form when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth’s surface. Among the given options, a batholith is the largest and typically the deepest type of intrusive igneous rock body. Batholiths are massive, irregular plutonic bodies that form deep within the crust and are often considered the root of mountain ranges. Laccoliths, lopoliths, and phacoliths are generally smaller and form at shallower depths compared to batholiths, often causing deformation of overlying strata.
– Laccoliths are dome-shaped intrusions that push overlying layers upwards.
– Lopoliths are saucer-shaped intrusions.
– Phacoliths are lens-shaped intrusions conforming to the crests or troughs of folded rock layers.
– Batholiths are typically vast, extending over 100 square kilometers, and are uncovered by erosion of the overlying rock.