GEO 101

structural geology

distribution of rock units

stratigraphy

rock layering

petrology

origin and formation of rocks

mineralogy

structure and properties of minerals

geochronology

age of rocks, fossils, and sediments

paleontology

fossils and pre historic life

geochemistry

chemistry of earths crust

planetary geology

geology of celestial bodies

environmental geology

the study of how geological materials and processes affect the environment and human activities.

techtonic plate theory

the scientific theory that describes the large-scale motion of the Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that move and interact at their boundaries.

convection cells

are circular patterns of rising and sinking material in fluids, driven by heat transfer and responsible for mantle convection.

subduction zones

areas where one tectonic plate is forced under another, leading to geological phenomena such as volcanic activity and earthquakes.

divergent boundaries

occur where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise from the mantle and create new crust, often resulting in volcanic activity.

convergent boundaries

occur where tectonic plates move toward each other, leading to subduction or mountain building, often resulting in earthquakes and volcanic activity.