Geo 1060 – Introduction to Environmental Geosciences Exam 2 Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts for Exam 2 of Geo 1060 (Introduction to Environmental Geosciences), spanning igneous processes, metamorphic processes, geomorphic processes, and hydrology.

Felsic minerals

Igneous minerals that are characterized by containing a high silica content.

Ultramafic and mafic minerals

Igneous minerals that are characterized by containing high amounts of iron and magnesium.

Intrusive igneous rocks

Igneous rocks that form beneath the Earth's surface through the cooling of magma, which impacts their resulting crystal textures.

Extrusive igneous rocks

Igneous rocks that form at or above the Earth's surface through the rapid cooling of lava or pyroclastic materials.

Bowen's reaction series

The conceptual sequence describing the order in which minerals crystallize from cooling magma based on temperature controls.

Geothermal gradient

The rate at which Earth's temperature increases with depth, which interacts with the solidus to generate magma.

Solidus

The temperature threshold or boundary below which a rock material remains completely solid.

Decompression melting

A magma generation process triggered by a reduction in confining pressure as mantle rock rises, without requiring added heat.

Heat-induced melting

A process of magma generation caused by the direct addition of thermal energy to surrounding rock.

Flux melting

A process that leads to magma generation when the introduction of volatiles (such as water) lowers the melting temperature of rocks.

Partial melting

The incomplete melting of a rock where only some minerals melt, producing magma with a composition different from the parent rock.

Magmatic differentiation

The process by which a single parent magma changes composition as individual minerals crystallize and separate from the melt.

Protolith

The original parent rock that is transformed by metamorphic agents into a metamorphic rock.

Confining pressure

Uniform, non-directional pressure applied equally in all directions that alters a protolith at depth.

Directional stress

Differential force applied unequally in specific directions that deforms and alters the texture of a protolith.

Foliated metamorphic texture

A metamorphic texture characterized by the parallel planar alignment or banding of mineral grains caused by directional stress.

Non-foliated metamorphic texture

A metamorphic texture characterized by a lack of planar mineral alignment or banding.

Metamorphic grade

A measure of the intensity of metamorphism that reflects the scale of alteration driven by the application of temperature and pressure.

Geomorphology

The study of Earth's landforms, their scales, types, equilibrium, and the processes and agents that shape them.

Geomorphic equilibrium

The state of balance within a landscape system that the system actively works to maintain against driving forces and resistance.

Stream order

A classification scheme applied to drainage networks to categorize the relative size, branching, and hierarchy of streams.

Process linkages

Interconnected relationships between geomorphic processes that generate positive or negative feedback mechanisms.

Principal aquifer

One of the primary groundwater reservoirs located in Cache Valley.

Shallow confined aquifer

A near-surface confined groundwater reservoir identified as a key water storage system in Cache Valley.

Gaining stream

A stream that receives water directly through the inflow of groundwater through the stream bed.

Losing stream

A stream that loses surface water to the subsurface by draining downward into the groundwater system.