GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site batholith Half Dome in Yosemite National Park – an exposed portion of the Sierra Nevada Batholith A large irregularly shaped body of intrusive igneous rock, usually covering more than 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) and extending to a great depth (up to 30 km). A batholith is usually associated with a mountain belt and is often surrounded by metamorphic rock. A stock is a smaller body that is typically fed from a deeper level batholith. Stocks may have been feeders for volcanic eruptions, but because large amounts of erosion are required to expose a stock or batholith, the associated volcanic rocks are rarely exposed. Related category    • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP