What distinguishes stocks from batholiths?

The distinction between stocks and batholiths primarily lies in their size. Stocks are typically smaller intrusions of igneous rock, usually less than 100 square kilometers in surface area, while batholiths are much larger, exceeding this size and often covering extensive geographical areas. This difference in size is significant because it reflects the process of formation and the cooling history of the magma that formed these bodies.

The magnitude of a batholith suggests that it has cooled slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing for the growth of larger crystals, whereas stocks, being smaller, may have different cooling rates and crystallization characteristics. Additionally, the larger volume of a batholith often influences its geological significance, stability in the crust, and the types of minerals that can be found in association with it.

While location, color, and shape might offer some distinguishing features between individual examples of stocks and batholiths, they are not definitive criteria as size is the most fundamental characteristic that differentiates these two types of igneous intrusions. Thus, understanding their size is essential for recognizing their geological contexts and the processes that formed them.