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The formation of igneous rocks occurs through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. This process happens when molten rock material, which is found beneath the Earth's surface as magma, cools and hardens into solid rock. If the cooling occurs beneath the surface, the result is an intrusive igneous rock, characterized by larger crystals due to the slow cooling process. On the other hand, if the cooling and solidification take place on the Earth's surface following a volcanic eruption, the rock forms as extrusive igneous rock, which generally has smaller crystals due to the rapid cooling in the atmosphere.

Understanding this process is crucial in geology, as it explains the origin of different types of igneous rocks and their unique physical characteristics. The other processes mentioned, such as weathering, compaction of sediments, and metamorphism, contribute to the formation of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, respectively, but are not involved in the creation of igneous rocks. This distinction helps clarify the rock cycle and the various processes that generate different rock types in Earth's crust.