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Geomorphology UC
Vocabulary/terminology
100
Geology
Undergraduate 1
01/20/2011

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Term
Geologic cycle:
Definition
a model describing the relationship between the hydrologic cycle, the tectonic cycle, and the rock cycle.
Term
Exogenic Process
Definition
(outside) From the Sun
Term
Endogenic
Definition
(Inside) Plate Tectonics
Term
Mineral
Definition
earth substance with a consistent chemical composition
Term
Rock
Definition
A naturally formed mixture of one or more minerals
Term
Rock Cycle
Definition
Igneous rock - Sedimentary Rocks - Metamorphic Rocks
Term
Tectonic Cycle
Definition
upwelling, Sea-floor spreading, Subduction
Term
Igneous Rocks
Definition
molten (melted) rock. rock formed when magma cools and solidifies
Term
Extrusive Igneous Rocks
Definition
rapidly cooled lavas and other materials with relatively small crystals that were erupted onto the earths surface
Term
Intrusive igneous rock
Definition
slowly cooled with large crystals that solidified deep underground (in plutons) Plutonic
Term
Basalt
Definition
looks like cake batter but is simply cooled lava
Term
Granite
Definition
is a type of intrusive igneous rock when magma cooled slowly in the subterranean context. Branded Schizt
Term
Pluton
Definition
exposed mass of exfoliating granite
Term
Bowen's Reaction Series
Definition
intrusive igneous rocks cooled from magma at a slower rate than extrusive igneous rocks, intrusive igneous rocks (e.g., granite and gabber) have a more durable crystalline structure and are more resistant to weathering than extrusive igneous rocks (e.g. basalt and rhyolite)
Term
Felsic minerals
Definition
continental zone of the lithosphere
silicate mineral group including quartz and feldspars that have a relatively low density and are characteristic of the upper continental zone of the Lithosphere
Term
Mafic Minerals
Definition
Sea floor zone
Silicate mineral group of higher density characteristic of the lower continental zone and seabed lavas of the lithosphere and of the asthenosphere
Term
Lithosphere
Definition
earths rigid crustal layer which includes the continents. fractured into many plates of varying size
Term
Asthenosphere
Definition
The "plastic layer" capable of slow flow under lithosphere
Term
Sediment
Definition
earth material that has been deposited by a fluid agent (most typically flowing water).
Term
Sedimentary Rock
Definition
rock formed by accumulated sediments that have been solidified by "lithification" (some combination of cementation and compression).
Term
Sedimentary Rock Process/Formation
Definition
Weathering, Transportation, Deposition
Term
Clastic Sedimentary Rock
Definition
rock made from cemented particles (clasts) Example
Clay - Shale
Term
Chemical Sedimentary Rock
Definition
Rock made from precipitated materials Example Limestone = Calcium Carbonate
Term
Metamorphic Rock
Definition
Rock that has been altered by heat and or pressure
Term
Foliation
Definition
Make into layers
Term
Metamorphic Rock most likely form at
Definition
Convergent boundaries
Term
Plate tectonics
Definition
current model explaining those land-forming processes powered by radioactive decay within the Earth (tectonic processes)
Term
Catastrophism
Definition
theories which proposed that the earths surface features werer created in only a few thousand years by a series of catastrophic events (generally relating to divine intervention).
Term
Uniformitarianism
Definition
the principle that physical processes active in the environment today are operating at the same place and intensity that has characterized them throughout geologic time;
Term
Continental Drift Theory
Definition
Alfred wagerer proposed that the earths continents had formerly been united as a single landmass and had since broken apart. wagerer cited evidence of matching coastlines, rock formations, fossil deposits, and glacial deposits.
Term
Earthquake Waves through Earth
Definition
The internal structure of the earth has been revealed principally by this
Term
Isostatic Adjustment
Definition
the uplift and subsidence of portions of the lithosphere as result of shifting weight and pressure (based on the principles of buoyancy and equilibrium).
ex. like a waterbed
Term
Convection System
Definition
a set of movements generated by inequalities in temperature and density.
Term
Hot Spot
Definition
an isolated convection cell in the asthenosphere over which magma is brought to the surface.
Term
The island of Hawaii is an example of
Definition
gently erupting shield volcanoes over a hot spot in the asthenosphere
Term
Shield Volcano
Definition
relatively gently erupting, dome shaped volcano built up by successive lava flows (associated with hot spots and spreading centers). Not explosive
Term
Spreading Center
Definition
area where lithospheric plates are diverging (moving apart) because of underlying convection currents in the Asthenosphere.
Term
Mid-Ocean ridge/Lift
Definition
linear range of fault-block mountains and volcanoes on the ocean floor along a spreading center.
Term
Transform Plate Boundary
Definition
where two lithospheric plates, or portions of a fractures plate, slide laterally past one another (ex the san andreas fault system
Term
Subduction Zone
Definition
area where a crustal plate descends into the Earth's interior, breaks apart, and melts.
Term
Deep ocean Trench
Definition
a deep scar (trench) on the ocean floor along a subduction zone.
Term
Composite Volcano
Definition
violently explosive volcano composed of layered ash and lava(associated with subduction zones).
Term
Pyroclatic Flow
Definition
stream of super-heated volcanic gas and rock fragments that moves rapidly downhill
Term
Orogeny
Definition
Mountain Building
Term
Weathering
Definition
breaking down of earth material to particulate matter making it subject to movement
Term
Regolith
Definition
layer of loose material on the Earth's surface; derived from weathered bedrock.
Term
Physical (Mechanical) Weathering
Definition
the break down of rock by the physical separation of pieces.
Term
Chemical Weathering
Definition
disintegration of rock by the chemical alteration of constituent minerals.
Term
Rate of Weathering Factors
Definition
the nature of the material being weathered, climate
Term
Frost Shatter/Wedging
Definition
separation of rock by water as it freezes in confined spaces
Term
Rate of Weathering Factors
Definition
the nature of the material being weathered, climate
Term
Frost Shatter/Wedging
Definition
separation of rock by water as it freezes in confined spaces
Term
Plant/Root Wedging
Definition
separation of rock by plants (principally roots) as they grow into cracks
Term
Hydration
Definition
physical weathering of rock by saturation and swelling with water.
Term
Crystalization
Definition
physical weathering produced by secondary crystal growth (e.g. salt) within a rock structure. salt on sidewalks
Term
Abrasion
Definition
mechanical weathering due to friction with moving material. Abrasion is accomplished as sediment is dragged across rock by moving water, ice, or wind.
like glaciers
Term
Pressure-Release Jointing Exfoliation
Definition
the breaking off and "sheeting" of rock layers from exposed plutons as containing pressure is released.
Term
Exfoliation Dome
Definition
a pluton undergoing active exfoliation
Term
Forms of Chemical Weathering
Definition
Hydrolysis, Oxidation, Carbonation
Term
Most types of Chemical weathering are accelerated by this
Definition
Warm, Wet climatic conditions
Term
Hydrolysis
Definition
weathering of rock by combination with either positive or negative ions in water.
Term
Oxidation
Definition
weathering of rock by combination of oxygen
(think rust)
Term
Sesquioxide
Definition
highly weathered residual mineral compounds of iron or aluminum oxide (resistant to further chemical weathering).
Term
Saprolite
Definition
layer of deeply weathered rock characteristic of warm, humid areas.
Term
Carbonation
Definition
Chemical dissolution of carbonate rock (E.g) limestone, chalk).
Term
Karst
Definition
terrain produced by the chemical dissolution of limestone (carbonation)
Term
Limestone Cavern
Definition
interconnected subterranean cavities formed by carbonation.
Term
Sinkhole
Definition
surface depression or cavity formed in dissolving limestone
Term
Disappearing Stream
Definition
stream which leaves the surface to flow underground in a limestone bedrock layer.
Term
Cone-and-Cockpit Karst
Definition
limestone plateu eroded into conical hills and valleys.
Term
Pinnacle Karst
Definition
pinnacle-like remnants of an eroding limestone surface produced by accelerated carbonation in the humid tropics.
Term
Tower Karst
Definition
an extreme form of pinnacle karst with towering karst pinnacles.
Term
Dynamic Equilibrium Model in Geomorphology
Definition
the tectonic uplift of landmass is in balance with erosion (through time).
Term
Erosion
Definition
the removal or loos earth materials by gravity, water, wind, or moving ice
Term
Landslide
Definition
rapid downhill movement of a large mass of "Dry" regolith or bedrock
Term
Lahar
Definition
Rapid Downhill Movement of water-saturated volcanic ash on a steep hill
Term
Pali
Definition
Steep, fluted cliff carved in volcanic rock by rapid tropical weathering and erosion ( chiefly mass movements).
Term
[image]
Definition
Uplifted Limestone
Term
[image]
Definition
Transcurrent Fault
Term
[image]
Definition
Tower Karst
Term
[image]
Definition
Talus Slope, Rockfall
Term
[image]
Definition
Soil Creep
Term
[image]
Definition
Small Karst Sinkhole
Term
[image]
Definition
Shield Volcano
Term
[image]
Definition
Sandstone
Term
[image]
Definition
Pinnacle Karst
Term
[image]
Definition
Pali Formation
Term
[image]
Definition
Mount St. Helens Composite Volcano
Term
[image]
Definition
Limestone Cavern
Term
[image]
Definition
Granite
Term
[image]
Definition
Fossiliferous Limestone
Term
[image]
Definition
Folded Sedimentary Rock Layers
Term
[image]
Definition
Fissure Eruption
Term
[image]
Definition
Exfoliation Dome
Term
[image]
Definition
Eroding Hill, Earthflow, Overgrazing
Term
[image]
Definition
Composite Volcano
Term
[image]
Definition
Chemically/Physically Weathered Granite
Term
[image]
Definition
Basalt
Term
[image]
Definition
Banded Schist
Term
[image]
Definition
Normal Fault
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