Reviewer-in-Geology

Geology

The scientific study of the constituents, structure, and history of planets, particularly the Earth, and the processes that shape them.

Geologists

Scientists who study the origin, occurrence, distribution, and utilities of all materials and natural resources found on Earth.

Physical Geology

The study of Earth's materials, such as minerals and rocks, and the processes operating on and within the Earth's surface.

Historical Geology

The study of the origin and evolution of life, continents, oceans, atmosphere, and ecosystems on Earth.

Economic Geology

The scientific study of Earth's sources of mineral raw materials and the practical application of this knowledge.

Engineering Geology

The application of geology to engineering study to ensure that geological factors are considered in the design, construction, and maintenance of engineering works.

Geotectonics

The study of the solid Earth on a global scale and its history.

Minerology

The branch of geology that focuses on the study of minerals.

Paleontology

The scientific study of ancient plants and animals based on their fossil record.

Structural Geology

The study of the three-dimensional distribution of rock units and their deformational genesis and histories.

Environmental Geology

The application of geology to solve environmental problems.

Geochemistry

The branch of geology that uses chemistry to explain the mechanisms behind major geological systems.

Geophysics

The study of the physical processes and properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment.

Core

The innermost layer of the Earth, mostly composed of iron metal.

Mantle

The layer between the core and the crust, representing about 68% of Earth's mass and made of solid rock.

Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, divided into oceanic crust and continental crust.

Lithosphere

The rigid, brittle portion of the upper mantle and the crust.

Asthenosphere

The partially molten upper mantle material that behaves plastically and can flow.

Continental Drift

The idea that continents were once part of a single landmass called Pangaea and have since moved to their current positions.

Plate Tectonics

The study of the movement and deformation of the Earth's outer layers, explaining the existence and movement of rigid plates.

Stress

The force applied to an object, which can be compressive, tensile, or shearing.

Strain

Deformation resulting from stress, which can be temporary or permanent.

Elastic Deformation

Deformation that is proportional to the applied stress and returns to its original shape when the stress is removed.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and the upper mantle.

Asthenosphere

The weak, plastic layer below the lithosphere where rocks can flow.

Plate Boundaries

The regions where lithospheric plates interact, characterized by earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Topography of the Sea Floor

The features and relief of the ocean floor, which provided evidence for plate tectonics.

Magnetism in Rocks

The presence of magnetic minerals in rocks, which can provide information about the Earth's magnetic field and plate movements.

Plate Motion

The movement of lithospheric plates driven by convection currents in the mantle and other forces.

Plate Tectonics

The theory that explains the movement and interaction of Earth's lithospheric plates.

Convection Cells

Large cells of circulating material in the asthenosphere that were once believed to be the driving force behind plate tectonics.

Collision

The movement pattern of two continental plates being shoved together.

Subduction

The movement pattern of one plate plunging beneath another.

Spreading

The movement pattern of two plates being pushed apart.

Transform Faulting

The movement pattern of two plates sliding past each other.

Weathering

The process of breaking down or dissolving rocks and minerals on the Earth's surface.

Mass Wasting

The movement of rock and soil down slope under the influence of gravity.

Running Water

The process of erosion and landform creation by the movement of water through rivers, streams, and other water bodies.

Groundwater

Water that infiltrates the subsurface and becomes part of the natural water cycle.

Glaciers

Massive bodies of slowly moving ice that form on land and shape the landscape over time.

Waves

Formed by wind blowing over a body of water, waves can erode coastlines and reshape beaches.

Wind

A powerful agent of erosion that transports dust, sand, and ash from one place to another.

Tectonism

Tectonic processes that cause land movement and earthquakes.

Volcanism

The eruption of molten rock from inside the Earth to the surface.

Earth Surface Processes

The interactions between the atmosphere, water, biota, and tectonics that transform rock into landscapes.

Evolution of Landforms

The continuous sequence of forms and features that develop over time due to changes in processes and rates.

Monitoring Earth Surface Processes

The use of new measurement technologies to study and understand Earth's surface.

Physical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks through physical effects like temperature, abrasion, and ice wedging.

Chemical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks through chemical actions like oxidation, hydration, and solution.

Biological Weathering

The breakdown of rocks caused by the movements of plants and animals.