Unit 8: Earth's Features

igneous rock

Type of rock formed from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava. Can be intrusive (formed beneath the Earth's surface) or extrusive (formed on the Earth's surface). Examples include granite, basalt, and obsidian.

sedimentary rock

Type of rock formed through the accumulation and compaction of sedimentary particles, such as sand, clay, and organic matter, over time.

metamorphic rock

Formed from existing rocks through heat and pressure. It undergoes changes in texture, mineral composition, and structure. Examples include marble, slate, and quartzite.

rock strata

Layers of rock formed over time due to the deposition of sediment, such as sand, silt, and clay. These layers provide valuable information about Earth's history, including past environments and geological events.

beach

A sandy or pebbly area along the shore of a body of water, typically the ocean, where land meets water.

formed by erosion/deposition

dune

A hill or ridge of sand formed by deposition of sand by wind or water. Can be found in a desert or coastal area.

formed by erosion / deposition

delta

A landform formed by the deposition of sediment carried by a river as it enters a body of water, such as a lake or ocean. They are characterized by their triangular shape.

weathering

The process of breaking down rocks, minerals, and soils through exposure to the Earth's atmosphere, water, and biological activity. It can be physical (mechanical) or chemical, resulting in the disintegration or decomposition of the material over time.

erosion

Process of moving away soil, rock, or other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces like wind, water, or ice.

fossils

preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms found in sediment. Created by the geologic force of deposition, where layers of sediment accumulate over time

sinkhole

A natural depression or hole that forms on the Earth's surface due to the collapse of underlying rocks or soil, often caused by chemical weathering or the dissolving of limestone.

meander

A winding, curving pattern formed by a river as it flows. They result from the erosion of the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank of the river, causing the river to shift and form a bendy path over time.

coastal cliffs

formations found along the edge of the ocean. They are steep, vertical or near-vertical cliffs that are formed through the erosion of rocks by the persistent action of waves.

intrusive igneous

Type of igneous rock formed when magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing large crystals to form. Has a coarse-grained texture.

extrusive igneous

Type of igneous rock formed from volcanic activity. It is formed when magma erupts onto the Earth's surface and cools quickly, resulting in small mineral grains. Examples include basalt and obsidian.

clastic sedimentary

Type of sedimentary rock formed from fragments of pre-existing rocks, known as clasts. These clasts are compacted and cemented together over time to create a solid rock.

chemical sedimentary

Type of sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation and lithification of minerals precipitated from water solutions, such as limestone and rock salt.

organic sedimentary

Type of sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation and compaction of organic matter, such as plant and animal remains. Examples include coal and some types of limestone.

foliated metamorphic

Type of metamorphic rock with a banded or layered appearance due to the alignment of minerals. Exhibits distinct foliation planes.

nonfoliated metamorphic

a type of metamorphic rocks that has a uniform texture and lack distinct layers or bands. Examples include marble, quartzite, and hornfels.

karst landscapes

Unique topography formed by soluble rocks like limestone, characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems.

erosion and deposition

way to form sedimentary rock

melting and cooling

way to form igneous rock

heat and pressure

way to form metamorphic rock

fossils

organic plant or animals remains preserved in sedimentary rock

angular unconformity

A type of unconformity in rock strata where older sedimentary layers are tilted (often by tectonic plate activity) then eroded, and younger layers are deposited horizontally on top.

tectonic plates

can pull rock down under the surface, creating magma, then igneous rocks

compaction

sediments being crushed into new sedimentary rock via this process

difference between weathering and erosion

weathering is the breakdown of rocks into sediments and erosion is the movement of that sediment to a new location

contributes to the bending of a river

erosion and deposition contribute to how rivers change over time