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Geology
Test 2
55
Geology
Undergraduate 1
03/02/2010

Additional Geology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Lithification
Definition
The transformation of loose sediment into solid rock through compaction and cementation.
Term
Precipitate
Definition
Process by which atoms dissolved in a solution come together and form a solid; rainfall or snow
Term
Micron
Definition
One-millionth of a meter
Term
Clay
Definition
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
Term
Siltstone
Definition
Fine-grained sedimentary rock generally composed of very small quartz grains.
Term
Chert
Definition
A sedimentary rock composed of very fine-grained silica
Term
Peat
Definition
Compacted and partially decayed vegetation accumulating beneath a swamp
Term
Depositional Environment
Definition
Environment resulting from the deposition of sediment where the medium carrying the sediment evaporates, slows down, or melts
Term
Graded Bedding
Definition
Layers of clastic sediment or sedimentary rock in which clast size progressively decreases from the base to the top of the bed; form by deposition from a turbidity current
Term
Delta
Definition
A wedge of sediment formed at a river mouth when the running water of the stream enters standing water, the current slows, the stream loses competence, and sediment settles out
Term
Atoll
Definition
A coral reef that develops around a circular reef surrounding a lagoon
Term
Strata
Definition
A succession of sedimentary beds
Term
Valley 
Definition
A trough with sloping walls, cut into the land by a stream
Term
Cobbles
Definition
particles that are smaller than boulders and larger than gravels, ie, ranging between 64-256mm
Term
Conglomerates
Definition
Very coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting of rounded clasts
Term
Shale
Definition
Very fine-grained sedimentary rock that breaks into thin sheets
Term
Bioprecipitate
Definition
rain-making bacteria
Term
evaporite
Definition
the sediment that is left after the evaporation process
Term
Lignite
Definition
Low-rank coal that consists of 50% carbon
Term
Sedimentary Structure
Definition
A characteristic of sedimentary deposits that pertains to the character of bedding and/or the surface features of a bed
Term
Mudcracks
Definition
sedimentary structures which form when fine grained sediment dries out or desiccates
Term
Alluvial Fan
Definition
A gently sloping apron of sediment dropped by an ephemeral stream at the base of a mountain in arid or semi-arid regions
Term
Eolian
Definition
pertaining to or deposited by wind
Term
Cement
Definition
Mineral material that precipitates from water and fills the spaces between grains, holding the grains together
Term
Coastal Plain
Definition
Low-relief regions of land adjacent to the coast
Term
Sand
Definition
Coarse-grained sedimentary rock consisting almost entirely of quartz
Term
Breccia
Definition
Coarse sedimentary rock consisting of angular fragments; or rock broken into angular fragments by faulting
Term
Bituminous Coal
Definition
Dull, black intermediate-rank coal formed at temperatures between 100 degrees and 200 degrees celcius
Term
Cross-bedding
Definition
A lamination inclined to the main bedding; it represents the slip face of a layers deposited in a current
Term
Clast
Definition
A fragment of detritus; ex: sand grain or pebble
Term
Boulders
Definition
largest rocks
Term
Anthracite Coal
Definition
Shiny black coal formed at temperatures between 200 and 300 degrees Celsius; A high-rank coal
Term
Bedding
Definition
Layering or stratification in sedimentary rocks
Term
Barrier Island
Definition
An offshore sand bar that rises above the mean high-water level, forming an island
Term
Ripple Marks
Definition
Wave-like ridges and troughs on the surface of a sedimentary layer formed during deposition in a current
Term
Weathering
Definition
The processes that break up and corrode solid rock, eventually transforming it into sediment
Term
Sediment
Definition
An accumulation of loose mineral grains, such as boulders, pebbles, sand, silt, or mud, that are not cemented together
Term
Laterite
Definition
Soil formed over iron-rich rock in a tropical environment, consisting primarily of a dark-red mass of insoluble iron and/or aluminum oxide
Term
Acid
Definition
Very effective agents of chemical weathering
Term
A-horizon
Definition
the top layer of a soil profile; usually contains humus
Term
Weathering of calcite
Definition
slightly dissolvable
Term
Weathering of Quartz
Definition
least soluable of the primary minerals
Term
Weathering of feldspars
Definition
Low dissolve-ability; # 1 mineral on Earth's surface
Term
Georgia Red Clay
Definition
States largest mineral industry ~ 2 billion/year
Term
Kaolonite
Definition

Makes -Fine Porcelain (China ware)

-Spark Plugs

-Medicines

-Tire Fillers

-Paper Fillers

 

Term
Pedalfers
Definition
(found in western states)- rich in calcium as calcite; found in dryer climates; not good for agriculture
Term
B-horizon
Definition
Typically clay rich with iron oxides; major soil component, highly weathered, common humid regions
Term
O-horizon
Definition
organic, plant roots, worms, microbes; secrete carbon dioxide
Term
C-horizon
Definition
Regolith; less weathered, bedrock soil components
Term
Physical weathering
Definition

-sediment becomes smaller

-sediment becomes rounder

-sediment becomes more homogenous

Term
Chemical Weathering
Definition
involves breakdown of minerals in rocks to ions (congruent dissolution); primary minerals break down, secondary minerals are created
Term
Biggest to smallest in rocks (Coarsest to finest)
Definition
Boulders, cobbles, pebbles, sand, silt, clay (Kaolinite)- < 2 microns (1/1000 of a millimeter)
Term
Frost Wedging
Definition
(high altitude/cold climates) -creates fractures in rocks
Term
Hoodoos
Definition
cracks in rocks
Term
Erosion
Definition
The grinding away and removal of Earth's surface materials by moving water, air, or ice
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