magma

[ mag-muh ]

noun

, plural mag·mas, mag·ma·ta [mag, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. Geology. molten material beneath or within the earth's crust, from which igneous rock is formed.
2. any crude mixture of finely divided mineral or organic matter.
3. Chemistry, Pharmacology. a paste composed of solid and liquid matter.

magma

/ ˈmæɡmə; mæɡˈmætɪk /

noun

1. a paste or suspension consisting of a finely divided solid dispersed in a liquid
2. hot molten rock, usually formed in the earth's upper mantle, some of which finds its way into the crust and onto the earth's surface, where it solidifies to form igneous rock

magma

/ măg′mə /

, or magmas

1. The molten rock material that originates under the Earth's crust and forms igneous rock when it has cooled. When magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface, it forms what are known as intrusive rocks. When it reaches the Earth's surface, it flows out as lava and forms extrusive (or volcanic) rocks.

magma

1. Molten rock usually located deep within the mantle of the Earth that occasionally comes to the surface through cracks in the mantle or through the eruption of volcano es.

Notes

When magma cools and solidifies, it forms igneous rock , of which lava is one type.

Derived Forms

• ˈmagmatism, noun
• magmatic, adjective

Other Words From

• mag·mat·ic [mag-, mat, -ik], adjective
• magma·tism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magma¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin: dregs, leavings < Greek mágma kneaded mass, salve, equivalent to mag- (base of mássein to knead, press; mass ) + -ma noun suffix of result

Word History and Origins

Origin of magma¹

C15, from Latin: dregs (of an ointment), from Greek: salve made by kneading, from massein to knead

Example Sentences

A recent report from the Icelandic Meteorological Office suggests that magma is building up underground near a volcano known as Askja, a mountain about the size of Mount St. Helens in Vatnajokull National Park in Iceland’s central highlands.

From Salon

That can cause the dynamic subterranean forces below volcanoes to produce increased quantities of magma, leading to more frequent eruptions.

From Salon

“We'd like to instrument the magma so we can really listen to the pulse of the earth,” he adds.

From BBC

“The plan is to drill just short of the magma itself, possibly poke it a little bit,” says Bjarni Pálsson with a wry smile.

From BBC

They had planned to make a 4.5km deep borehole and extract extremely hot fluids, but the drill abruptly stopped as it intercepted surprisingly shallow magma.

From BBC

Related Words

• basalt
• slag