Understanding Batholiths: The Large, Deep-Seated Igneous Bodies of Planets and Moons

A batholith is a large, deep-seated igneous body that forms within the crust of a planet or moon. It is typically composed of granitic rocks and can be several kilometers thick. Batholiths are thought to form when magma rises from the mantle and cools slowly beneath the surface, resulting in the formation of large crystals and a coarse-grained texture.

Batholiths are often associated with mountain-building processes, as they can cause significant deformation and uplift of the surrounding rocks. They can also be responsible for the formation of economic deposits such as gold, copper, and tin.

The term "batholith" was introduced by geologist Alfred Lothian Fischer in 1927, and it is derived from the Greek words "bathos," meaning "depth," and "lithos," meaning "rock." Batholiths are also known as "deep-seated intrusions" or "large igneous bodies."