Term
|
Definition
| disintegration and decomposition of a rock on the surface of Earth |
|
|
Term
| What is the most important agent of chemical weathering? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The chemical weathering of silicate minerals frequently produces what? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What mineral is most resistant to weathering in the conditions found on Earth's surface? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The layer of rock and mineral fragments produced by weathering is referred to as what? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| the most influential factor controlling soil formation is? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Highly leached soils that develop in the hot wet tropics are called ? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The most common product of the hydrolsis of silicate minerals is .. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is responsible for the red color of the well known "Georgia red clay?" |
|
Definition
| oxidation of iron bearing minerals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| science that pursues an understanding of planet Earth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the beliefs that Earth's landscapes had been shaped primarily by great catastrophes- James Ussher |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| physical, chemical, and biological laws that operate today have also operated in the geologic past - James Hutton- Theory of the Earth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the innermost layer of Earth based on composition. It is thought to be largely an iron-nickel alloy with minor amounts of oxygen ,silicon, and sulfur |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| one of Earth's compositional layers. The solid rocky shell that extends from the base of the crust to a depth of 2900 kms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the very thin outermost layer of earth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the rigid outer layer of Earth, including the crust and upper mantle |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a subdivision of the mantle situated below the lithosphere. This zone of weak material exists below a depth of about 100 kilometers and in some regions extends as deep as 700 kilometers. The rock within this zone is easily deformed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a group of interacting or interdependent parts that form a complex whole |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the gently sloping submerged portion of the continental margin, extending from the shoreline to the continental slope |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| rock formed from the crystallization of magma |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the solid innermost layer of Earth, about 1216 kms in radius |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a boundary in which two plates move apart, resulting in upwelling of material from the mantle to create a new seafloor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a boundary in which two plates move tegether, resulting in oceanic lithosphere being thrust beneath an overriding plate, eventually to be reabsorbed into the mantle. It can also involve the collision of two continental plates to create a mountain system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a boundary in which two plates slide past one another without creating or destroying lithosphere |
|
|
Term
| Oceanic ridge system/ Mid ocean Ridge |
|
Definition
| a continuous mountainous ridge on the floor of all the major ocean basins and varying in width. The rifts at the crests of these ridges represent divergent plate boundaries |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| elongate depression in the seafloor produced by bending of oceanic crust during subduction |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the water portion of our planet; one of the traditional subdivision of Earth's physical environment |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a model that illustrate the origin of the three basic rock type and the interrelatedness of Earth materials and processes |
|
|
Term
| Two broad areas of Geology |
|
Definition
| Physical Geology and Historical Geology |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Seeks to understand certain processes and forces that occur on Earth's surface as well as beneath. Also examines the materials of Earth. Preceedes the study of Historical Geology. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Involves studying fossils and where they occur in rock beds, also deals with where the Earth came from and how far the earth has come, it's development. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the formation of the solar system; Says that a very large rotating cloud also known as a solar nebula formed the solar system. The trigger is unknown. Eventually the pull of gravity balanced out. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the color of mineral in a powdered form |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the smallest particle that exists as an element |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a chemical bond produced by the sharing of electrons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a chemical bond between two oppositely charged ions formed by the transfer of valence electrons from one atom to the other |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weak bonding |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the external appearance of a mineral as determined by its internal arrangement of atoms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| aka dark silicate- silicate minerals containing ions of iron and/or magnesium in their structure. they are dark in color and have a higher specific gravity than nonferromagnesian silicates |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| varieties of the same element that have different mass numbers; their nuclei contain the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an atom or molecule that possesses an eltrical charge |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a series of 10 minerals used as a standard in determining hardness |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a naturally occuring, inorganic crystalline material with a unique chemical structure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any one of numerous minerals that have the silicon-oxygen tetrahedron as their basic structure |
|
|
Term
| nonferromagnesian silicates |
|
Definition
| aka light silicate- silicate minerals that lack iron and/or magnesium. They are generally lighter in color and have lower specific gravities than dark silicates |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the small, heavy core of an atom that contains all of its positive charge and most of its mass |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| any break of rupture in rock along which no apreciable movement has taken place |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a mineral's resistance to scratching and abrasion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| two or more minerals having the same chemical composition having the same chemical composition but different crystalline structures. Exemplified by the diamond and graphite forms of carbon |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the spontaneous decay of certain unstable atomic nuclei |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the electrons involved in the bonding process; the electrons occupying the highest principle energy level of an atom |
|
|
Term
| Main types of ferromagnesian minerals |
|
Definition
| Olivine, Pyroxenes, amphiboles, Biotite, and Garnet |
|
|
Term
| Three main particles of an atom |
|
Definition
| protons, neutrons, and electrons |
|
|
Term
| Some of the common physical properties of minerals |
|
Definition
| crystal form, cleavage, streak, luster, hardness, taste, smell, elasticity, and feel |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a texture of igneous rocks in which the crystals are too small for individual minerals to be distinguished without the aid of a microscope |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a body of molten rock found at depth, including any dissolved gasses and crystals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process by which most igenous rocks melt. since individual minerals have different melting points, most igenous rocks melt over a temperature range of a few hundred degrees. If the liquid is squezzed out after some melting has occured, a melt with a higher silica content results |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| gaseous components of magma dissolved in the melt. volatile will readily vaporize (form a gas) at surface pressures |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process of generating more than one rock type for a single magma |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a concept proposed by N.L. Bowen that illustrates the relationships between magma and the minerals crystallizing from it during the dofrmation of igneous rocks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a mass of hotter-than-normal mantle material that ascends toward the surface where it may lead to igenous activity. These plumes of solid yet mobile material may originate as deep as the core-mantle boundary |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| during the crystallization of magma, the earlier-formed minerals are denser than the liquid portion and settle to the bottom of the magma chamber |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a broad, gently sloping volcano built from fluid basaltic lavas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| composite cone- a voolcano composed of both lava flows and pyroclastic material |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a large mass of igenous rock that formed when magma was emplaced at depth, crystallized, and was subsequently exposed by erosion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| debris flows on the slopes of volcanoes that result when unstable layers of ash and debris become saturated and flow downslope, usually following stream channels |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a compositional group of igenous rocks indicating the rock contains substanial dark silicate minerals and calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| aka intermediate composition- a compositional group of igenous rocks, indicating the rock contains at least 25 percent dark silicate minerals. The other dominant mineral is plagioclase feldspar. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an igenous rock texture in which the crystals are roughly equal in size and are enough so the individual minerals can be identified without the aid of a microscope |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| magma that reaches Earth's surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| shield volcanoes, cinder cones, and composite cones |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the ore of aluminum and forms as a result of weathering processes under tropical conditions. Its color varies from red or brown to nearly white |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the variation in the rate and degree of weathering cuased by such factors as mineral makeup, degree of jointing, and climate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a layer in a soil profile |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a chemical weathering process in which minerals are altered by chemical reacting with water and acids |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a vertical section through a soil, showing its succession of horizons and the underlying parent material |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the processes by which the internal structure of a mineral is altered by the removal and/or addition of elements |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the physical disintegration of rock, resulting in smaller fragments |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a common form of chemical weathering, it is the process of dissolving into a homogenous solution, as when an acidic solution dissolves limestone |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| large, dome-shaped structure, usually composed of granite, formed by sheeting |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soil of humid regions characterized by the accumulation of iron oxides and aluminum-rich clays in the B-horizon |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the removal of one or more electrons from an atom or ion. So named because elements commonly combine with oxygen |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a red, highly leached soil type found in the tropics that is rich in oxides of iron and sluminum |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the depletion of soluble materials from the upper soil by downward percolating water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the down slope movement of rock, regolith, and soil under the direct influence of gravity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| soil associated with drier regions and characterized by an accumulation of calcium carbonate in the upper horizons |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a combination of mineral and organic matter, water, and air; that portion of the regolith that supports plant growth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the layer of rock and mineral fragments that nearly everywhere covers Earth's land surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a hard layer, rich in calcium carbonate, that forms beneat the B horizon insoils of arid regions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| organic matter in soil produced by the decomposition of plants and animals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the material upon which a soil develops |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a nearly flat surface separating two beds of sedimentary rock. each bedding plane marks the end of one deposit and the beginning of another having different characteristics |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a type of chemical sediment that forms when material dissolved in water is precipitated by water-dwelling organisms. Shells are common examples |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| one way in which sedimentary rocks are lithified. as material precipitates from water from that percolates through the sediment, open spaces are filled and particles are joined into a solid mass |
|
|
Term
| chemical sedimentary rock |
|
Definition
| sedimentary rock consisting of material that was precipitated from water by either inorganic or organic means |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a sedimentary rock texture consisting of brown fragments of preexisting rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a type of lithification in which the weight of overlying material compresses more deeply buried in sediment. It is most important in the fine-grained sedimentary rocks such as shale |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a collective term for all the chemical, physical, and biological changes that take lace after sediments are deposited and during and after lithification |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the development of mroe stable minerals from less stable ones |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a portion of rock unit that possesses a distinctive set of characteristics that distinguishes from other parts of the same unit |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the property of splitting easily into thin layers along closely spaced, parallel surfaces, such as bedding planes in shale |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a feature in some sedimentary rocks that forms when wet mud dries out, shrinks, and cracks |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| parallel layers of sedimentary rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the process, generally cementation and/or compaction, of converting sediments to solid rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the degree of similarity in particle size in sediment or sedimentary rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| structure in which relatively thin layers are inclined at an angle to the main bedding. formed by currents of wind or water |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the remains or traces of organisms preserved from the geologic past |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| small waves of sand that develop on the surface of a sediment layer by the action of moving water or air |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| unconsolidated particles created by the weathering and erosion of rock, by chemical precipitation from solution in water, or from the secretions of organisms, and trasported by water, wind or glaciers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a sediment layer characterized by a decrease in sediment size from bottom to top |
|
|
Term
| common detrital sedimentary rocks |
|
Definition
| shale, sandstone, conglomerate and breccias |
|
|
Term
| common minerals in detrital sedimentary rocks |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| primary types of chemical sedimentary rocks |
|
Definition
| limestone, dolostone, chert, evaporites, and coal |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| sediments formed by organic processes |
|
|
Term
| three categories of sedimentary environments |
|
Definition
| continental, marine, or transitional |
|
|
Term
| transitional environments |
|
Definition
| those that stand in between continetnal environments and marine environments |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| low-grade metamorphism that occurs in the lowest layers of very thick accumulations of sedimentary strata |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| changes in rock caused by the heat from a nearby magma body |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a texture of metamorphic rocks in which dark and light silicate minerals are separated, giving the rock a banded appearance |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| metamorphism that occurs when meteorites strike Earth's surface |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the hot, watery solution that escapes from a mass of magma during the latter stages of crystallizaiton. Such solutions may alter the surrounding country rock and are frequently the source of significant ore deposits |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| metamorphism associated with largescale mountain building |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a mineral that is a good indicator of the metamorphic environment in which it formed. Used to distinguish different zones of regional metamorphism |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an equal, all-sided pressure |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| forces that are unequal in different directions |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the changes in a mineral composition and texture of a rock subjected to high temperatures and pressures within Earth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a texture of metamoprhic rocks that gives the rock a layered appearance |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| also known as contact metamorphism: change sin rock caused by the heat from a nearby magma body |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a zone or halo of contact metamorphism found in the country rock surrounding an igneous intrusion |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a type of foliation characteristic of coarser-grained metamorphic rocks. Such rocks have a parallel arrangement of platy minerals such as the micas |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a rock exhibiting both igenous and metamorphic rock characteristics. Such rocks may form when light-colored silcate minerals melt and then crystallize, while the dark silicate minerals remain solid |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the type of foliation characteristic of slates in which there is a parallel arrangement of fine-grained metamorphic minerals |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the tendency of rocks to split along parallel, closely spaced surfaces. these surfaces are often highly inclined to the bedding planes in the rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| metamorphic rocks that do not exhibit foliation |
|
|
Term
| hydrothermal metamorphism |
|
Definition
| chemical alterations that occur as hot, ion-rich water circulates through fractures in rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the rock from which a metamorphic rock formed |
|
|
Term
| three agents of metamorphism |
|
Definition
| heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an unconformity in which the older strata dip at an angle different from that of the younger beds |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the second eon of Precambrian time. The eon following the Hadean and preceding the Proteorozoic. It extends between 3.8 and 2.5 billion years ago |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a type of unconformity in which the beds above and below are parallel |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the largest time unit on the geologic time scale; eras are divided into shorter units called periods |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a unit of geologic time scale that is a subdivision of a period |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a major divisonon the geologic time scale; eras are divided into shorter units called periods |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the first eon on the geologic time scale. the eon ending 3.8 billion years ago that preceded the archean eon |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the time required for one half of the atoms of a radioactive substance to decay |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the procedure of calculating the absolute ages of rocks and minerals that contain certain radioactive isotopes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| an unconformity in which older metamorphic or intrusive igneous rocks are overlain by younger sedimentary strata |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| layers of sediment that are generally deposited in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a piece of one rock unit contained with another. inclusions are used in relative dating. the rock mass adjacent to the one containing the inclsion must have been there first in order to provide the fragment |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a basic unit of geologic time scale that is a subdivision of an ear. periods may be divided into smaller units called epochs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| in any undeformed sequence of sedimentary rocks, each bed is older than the one above and younger than the one below |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a surface that represents a break in the rock record, caused by erosion and nondeposition |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| fossil organisms succeed one another in a definite and determinable order, and any time period can be recognized by its fossil content |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| rocks and structures are placed in their proper sequence or order. only the chronological order of events is determined |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| rock layers that were deposited without interruption |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| all geologic time prior to the paleozoic era |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a time span on the geologic time scale between the paleozoic and cenozoic eras-from about 248 to 65 million years ago |
|
|
