<p>Main difference between a subvolcanic verses a  plutonic is depth at which the rock solidified at from its molten state.  Plutonic implies a depth greater than subvolcanic by definition but I am sure there is some overlap between shallow end of plutonic and subvolcanic.  Depth of emplacement for plutonic would mostly be much greater than 2 km.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.azomining.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1287" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Plutonic</a> is an igneous rock formed by solidification at considerable depth beneath the earth's surface. </p>

<p>Subvolcanic rock, also known as a hypabyssal rock, is an intrusive igneous rock that is emplaced at medium to shallow depths (&lt;2 km) within the crust.  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-26T15:39:34.030Z
Interesting, I had no idea. But in the last line shouldn't it be "(<2 km)"?
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-26T17:06:03.593Z
What confuses me is that dikes and sills are by deffinition plutonic structuctures ( at least from where i am studying; Tarbuck). And it says that they DO form at shallow depths. So, they should be subvolcanics.
Karl
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-25T19:11:16.357Z
2019-01-26T16:55:00.260Z
2019-01-26T16:55:00.260Z
Earth Science Expatriate
<p>the main difference is the texture of this rocks.
the sub-volcanic rocks show porphyroid texture, while the plutonic rocks represent granular texture.</p>
<p>Best</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-09T15:50:53.830Z
2024-07-09T15:50:53.830Z
Mehdi Rezaei-Kahkhaei
<p>I'm studying Plutonic (Intrusive) rocks and I really don't understand the difference between Plutonic Rocks that form in Sills and Dikes from the so called  subvolcanic rocks, also known as a hypabyssal rocks. Aren't they the same? Why?</p>

<geology><rocks><magmatism>
What is the difference between subvolcanic rocks and plutonic rocks?
Karl
# What is the difference between subvolcanic rocks and plutonic rocks?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-24)

I'm studying Plutonic (Intrusive) rocks and I really don't understand the difference between Plutonic Rocks that form in Sills and Dikes from the so called subvolcanic rocks, also known as a hypabyssal rocks. Aren't they the same? Why?

**Tags:** geology, rocks, magmatism


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-25. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Main difference between a subvolcanic verses a plutonic is depth at which the rock solidified at from its molten state. Plutonic implies a depth greater than subvolcanic by definition but I am sure there is some overlap between shallow end of plutonic and subvolcanic. Depth of emplacement for plutonic would mostly be much greater than 2 km.

[Plutonic](https://www.azomining.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1287) is an igneous rock formed by solidification at considerable depth beneath the username_1's surface.

Subvolcanic rock, also known as a hypabyssal rock, is an intrusive igneous rock that is emplaced at medium to shallow depths (<2 km) within the crust.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Interesting, I had no idea. But in the last line shouldn't it be "(<2 km)"?  
> **username_0**: What confuses me is that dikes and sills are by deffinition plutonic structuctures ( at least from where i am studying; Tarbuck). And it says that they DO form at shallow depths. So, they should be subvolcanics.  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2024-07-09. Score: 1

the main difference is the texture of this rocks.
the sub-volcanic rocks show porphyroid texture, while the plutonic rocks represent granular texture.

Best


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