What is the main characteristic of a dike?

A dike is primarily characterized by its orientation and relationship to the surrounding rock layers. Dikes are vertical or steeply inclined bodies of igneous rock that intrude into other rock formations or strata. The defining feature of a dike is that it cuts across the existing layers of the host rock rather than conforming to their structure, which distinguishes it from other geological formations such as sills, which are typically horizontal.

The formation of a dike occurs when magma forces its way into fractures or weaknesses in other rock layers and solidifies as it cools and crystallizes. This allows dikes to disrupt the continuity of the host rock layers, making their cross-cutting nature significant in geological studies. Understanding this characteristic is important for interpreting geological history and for exploration in mining, as the presence of dikes can indicate mineralization patterns and help in identifying potential ore-bearing formations.