What is difference between a dike and a vein?

A dike is a vertical or near-vertical sheet of rock that forms when magma intrudes into pre-existing rock layers and solidifies, typically cutting across them. In contrast, a vein is a linear feature within rock that consists of minerals deposited from fluids, often filling cracks or fissures in the surrounding rock. While dikes are primarily associated with igneous processes, veins typically form through hydrothermal processes and can contain valuable minerals. Thus, the key difference lies in their formation processes and orientations within the host rock.