Earth and Geology Flashcards

Flashcards for Earth and Geology Test 2

What is the definition of a mineral?

Naturally occurring inorganic solid substances made of elements or compounds with a regular structure.

What is cleavage in the context of minerals?

The breaking of a mineral along smooth, flat planes.

What is fracture in the context of minerals?

The breaking of a mineral irregularly or roughly.

What is the streak of a mineral?

The color of a mineral when scratched on unglazed tile.

What is lustre in the context of minerals?

How light reflects off a mineral.

What is metallic lustre?

Shiny like metal.

What is non-metallic lustre?

Dull, pearly, or glassy.

What is hardness in the context of minerals?

Resistance to being scratched.

What is specific gravity?

Compares a mineral's weight to the weight of water.

What are striations?

Thin lines across a surface.

What does foliated mean?

Did crystals form layers?

What is Mohs' Scale of Hardness?

A scale that ranks minerals by hardness from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).

What is mining?

The process of extracting valuable minerals from the Earth.

What is open-cut mining?

Large surface pits.

What is underground mining?

Tunnels below ground.

What is placer mining?

Mining in riverbeds.

What are some environmental impacts of mining?

Habitat destruction, pollution of water and land, and soil erosion.

What are the three main types of rocks?

Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic.

How are igneous rocks formed?

Formed by cooling of magma or lava.

What are intrusive igneous rocks?

Cooled under Earth’s surface with slow cooling resulting in large crystals.

What are extrusive igneous rocks?

Cooled on Earth’s surface with fast cooling resulting in small or no crystals.

How are sedimentary rocks formed?

Made by weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation.

How are metamorphic rocks formed?

Formed by heat and/or pressure on existing rocks.

What is regional metamorphism?

Heat and pressure across large areas.

What is contact metamorphism?

Mainly heat near magma.

What is dynamic metamorphism?

Mainly pressure at fault zones.

What is weathering?

The breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces by physical, chemical or biological means.

What is erosion?

The movement of rock particles from one place to another by water, wind, ice, or gravity.

What is deposition?

The dropping or settling of eroded materials in a new location.

What is compaction?

When sediments are pressed together by the weight of overlying layers.