General Geology

Branches of Geology

Study of Earth divided into physical geology and historical geology

Physical Geology

Branch that deals with present physical properties of Earth

Petrology, Mineralogy, Structural Geology, Geomorphology, Geophysics, Geochemistry

6 branches of physical geology

Petrology

Study of formation composition and types of rocks

Mineralogy

Study of formation properties and uses of minerals

Structural Geology

Study of rock deformation faults joints and folds

Geomorphology

Study of Earth surface features and landform development

Geophysics

Study of physical properties of Earth like density and magnetism

Geochemistry

Study of distribution and abundance of elements in Earth

Historical Geology

Study of past geological events using preserved evidence

Stratigraphy, Paleontology, Oceanography

3 branches of historical geology

Stratigraphy

Study of rock layers and their relation to geologic time

Paleontology

Study of fossils and ancient life

Oceanography

Study of oceans including marine ecosystems

Engineering Geology

Application of geology in civil engineering

Mining Geology

Application of geology in mining engineering

Hydrogeology

Study of groundwater movement

Structure of the Earth

Earth is composed of layers based on chemical and mechanical properties

Crust

Outermost layer of Earth thin and solid

Oceanic Crust

Basaltic crust forming ocean floors

Continental Crust

Granitic crust forming continents

Mantle

Layer below crust making up most of Earth volume

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact of particles

Convection

Heat transfer through movement of material

Core

Innermost layer composed mainly of iron and nickel

Inner Core

Solid central part of Earth extremely hot

Outer Core

Liquid layer responsible for magnetic field

Lithosphere

Rigid outer layer including crust and upper mantle

Asthenosphere

Soft plastic layer beneath lithosphere

Mesosphere

Lower mantle rigid due to pressure

Outer Core Mechanical

Only liquid layer generating magnetic field

Inner Core Mechanical

Solid due to extreme pressure

Continental Drift

Theory that continents were once a single landmass

Pangaea

Supercontinent that existed about 240 million years ago

Plate Tectonics

Theory describing movement of Earth plates

Oceanic Plates

Plates composed mainly of oceanic crust

Continental Plates

Plates composed mainly of continental crust

Transform Boundary

Plates slide past each other forming faults

Divergent Boundary

Plates move apart creating new crust

Convergent Boundary

Plates collide forming mountains or subduction zones

Mantle Convection

Driving force of plate movement

Mid Ocean Ridge

Formed at divergent boundaries

Subduction

Process where one plate moves beneath another

Earth Processes

Natural actions shaping Earth surface

Constructive Process

Builds landforms

Destructive Process

Breaks down landforms

Weathering

Breakdown of rocks at Earth surface

Physical Weathering

Breakdown without chemical change

Chemical Weathering

Decomposition altering mineral composition

Biological Weathering

Weathering caused by living organisms

Disintegration

Breaking rocks into smaller pieces physically

Decomposition

Chemical breakdown of minerals

Denudation

Wearing away of Earth surface

Exfoliation Weathering

Peeling of rock layers like onion skin

Freeze Thaw Weathering

Expansion of freezing water breaking rocks

Spheroidal Weathering

Chemical weathering forming rounded shapes

Thermal Stress Weathering

Rock breakdown due to temperature changes

Erosion by Wind

Removal of material by wind action

Deflation

Wind removes loose particles

Abrasion

Wind-driven particles scrape surfaces

Transportation by Wind

Movement of sediments by wind

Bed Load

Heavier particles moving near ground

Suspended Load

Fine particles carried in air

Deposition by Wind

Settling of sediments forming landforms

Sand Dunes

Wind formed sand hills

Barchan Dunes

Crescent shaped dunes

Transverse Dunes

Ridges perpendicular to wind

Longitudinal Dunes

Ridges parallel to wind

Loess

Fine windblown sediment deposit

Coastal Erosion

Wearing away of coastlines by waves

Hydraulic Action

Force of waves breaking rocks

Abrasion Coastal

Grinding of rocks by particles

Attrition

Particles collide and break into smaller pieces

Solution Coastal

Dissolving of rocks by seawater

Transportation by Water

Movement of sediments in water

Suspension Water

Fine particles carried in water

Saltation

Bouncing movement of particles

Traction

Rolling of large particles

Mass Movement

Downslope movement of materials

Rockfall

Falling rocks from cliffs

Mudflow

Flow of wet soil downhill

Landslide

Large mass sliding downhill

Rotational Slip

Curved downward movement of soil

Groundwater Hydrology

Study of underground water movement

Groundwater

Water beneath Earth surface

Meteoric Water

Groundwater from rain and snow

Connate Water

Water trapped in sedimentary rocks

Magmatic Water

Water from volcanic processes

Zone of Aeration

Unsaturated zone with air and water

Zone of Saturation

Fully saturated zone below water table

Water Table

Upper surface of groundwater

Aquifer

Permeable layer storing and transmitting water

Unconfined Aquifer

Open to surface and atmospheric pressure

Confined Aquifer

Bound by impermeable layers under pressure

Leaky Aquifer

Semi permeable aquifer

Aquitard

Partially permeable layer

Aquiclude

Porous but not permeable layer

Aquifuge

Neither porous nor permeable

Earthquake

Sudden shaking due to energy release in Earth

Seismology

Study of earthquakes