Questions and Answers
What is an abyssal plain?
Flat or very gently sloping areas of the deep ocean basin floor.
What is accretion?
A process by which material is added to a tectonic plate.
What is an achnelith?
A small, glassy volcanic bomb that may have sphere, dumbbell, or droplet shapes.
What are acid rocks?
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What is an agglomerate?
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What is albite?
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What are alkaline rocks?
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What does allochthonous mean?
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What is an alluvial fan?
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What is alluvium?
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What are amphiboles?
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What is amphibolite?
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What does amygdaloidal refer to?
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What is anatexis?
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What is andalusite?
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What is andesite?
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What is an angular unconformity?
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What is anorthite?
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What is an anticline?
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What does aphanic refer to?
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What does aphanitic refer to?
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What is aplogranite?
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What is the aragonite sea?
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What does arenaceous refer to?
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What is arenite?
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Study Notes
Geology Terms Study Notes
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Abyssal Plain: Characterized by flat or gently sloping areas found on the deep ocean basin floor, representing some of the Earth's most stable and extensive geological features.
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Accretion: Refers to the process where material is gradually added to a tectonic plate, contributing to geological formations and growth.
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Achnelith: A type of volcanic bomb with small, glassy characteristics, appearing in shapes such as spheres, dumbbells, and droplets, indicative of very liquid magma during eruptions.
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Acid Rocks: A classification of igneous rocks defined by increasing silica (SiO2) content, which ranges from ultrabasic to basic, intermediate, and acid.
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Agglomerate: Indurated rock formed from large angular fragments embedded in an ashy matrix, typically resulting from explosive volcanic events, especially around volcanic vents.
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Albite: A member of the plagioclase mineral group, ideally composed of sodium and aluminum silicate, often containing small amounts of potassium and calcium.
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Alkaline Rocks: Distinctive for high concentrations of sodium oxide (Na2O) and potassium oxide (K2O), these rocks span from ultrabasic to acid compositions, with notable presence in acid-intermediate ranges.
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Allochthonous: Refers to fossils, sediments, or rocks that originated elsewhere and were transported to their current location, often exemplified by large blocks of rock displaced by low-angle thrust faulting.
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Alluvial Fan: A fan-shaped sediment deposit created when fast-moving streams slow down and spread onto flatter terrain, commonly found at canyon exits.
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Alluvium: Soil or sediment deposited by a flowing river or water body, essential in the formation of fertile land and landscapes.
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Amphiboles: A significant group of dark-colored silicate minerals that are crucial for the formation of various igneous and metamorphic rocks, with hornblende being the most common.
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Amphibolite: A coarse-grained, crystalline rock primarily containing amphibole minerals, typically formed through the regional metamorphism of basic igneous rocks and lacking foliation.
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Amygdaloidal: Describes volcanic rocks containing amygdules, which form when gas bubbles in lava are filled with secondary minerals such as calcite or quartz.
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Anatexis: The process involving the melting of pre-existing rocks, significant in understanding the origins of various metamorphic and igneous formations.
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Andalusite: A form of aluminum silicate mineral that is commonly produced during contact metamorphism of clay-rich rocks.
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Andesite: A type of fine-grained igneous rock with intermediate composition, mainly consisting of plagioclase feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals.
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Angular Unconformity: A geological feature where younger rock layers overlie an eroded surface on tilted or folded older rock layers, indicating a historical gap in deposition.
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Anorthite: The calcium and aluminum silicate mineral forming the lime-rich part of the plagioclase series, commonly found in basic igneous rocks that have undergone contact metamorphism.
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Anticline: A geological structure characterized by an arched fold with layers that dip away from the axial plane, often associated with oil and gas reservoirs.
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Aphanic: Refers to the texture of carbonate sedimentary rocks where individual crystals or grains are less than 0.01 mm in size, typically indicating rapid sediment accumulation.
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Aphanitic: Describes igneous rock textures where crystalline components are not visible to the naked eye, inclusive of both microcrystalline and cryptocrystalline textures.
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Aplogranite: A light-colored rock with a granitic texture, primarily composed of alkali feldspar and quartz, sometimes containing biotite and muscovite.
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Aragonite Sea: A term used to describe marine environments characterized by the precipitation of aragonite and high-magnesium calcite as primary carbonate minerals.
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Arenaceous: Pertaining to sediments that consist primarily of sand grains, including various formations like conglomerates and sandstones, with particle sizes ranging from 2 mm to 1/16 mm.
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Arenite: General term for sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized particles, known for being well-sorted and referred to as "clean" sandstone.
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Test your knowledge with these geology terms flashcards. From abyssal plains to acid rocks, challenge yourself on critical concepts in Earth sciences. Great for students and enthusiasts alike!