MODULE 1: CE1301

Geology

Scientific study of Earth's structure, composition, and processes

Physical Geology

Branch concerned with all aspects of Earth's structure, composition, and surficial features

Crystallography

Branch dealing with arrangement and bonding of atoms in crystalline solids and crystal lattices

Mineralogy

Branch concerned with physical properties, chemical composition, and crystal structure of minerals

Petrology

Branch studying igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and their formation processes

Structural Geology

Branch dealing with the form, arrangement, and internal structure of rocks

Stratigraphy

Branch concerned with the description of rock successions and their interpretation in a time scale

Paleontology

Branch studying life of the geologic past through analysis of plant and animal fossils preserved in rocks

Historical Geology

Branch that reconstructs the geological history of Earth using principles and methods of geology

Economic Geology

Branch concerned with the distribution of mineral deposits and economic considerations of their recovery

Hydrogeology

Science of occurrence, distribution, and movement of water below Earth's surface

Engineering Geology

Application of geologic information to aid characterization of construction sites for foundation design

Geotechnical Engineering

Civil engineering area focusing on engineering behavior of earth materials

Rock Mechanics

Study of fundamental principles governing the behavior of rock and rock masses

Soil Mechanics

Study of fundamental principles governing the behavior of soil and soil masses

Foundation Engineering

Subdiscipline applying geology, soil and rock mechanics to design and construction of foundations

--- Crystals vs. Minerals ---

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Mineral

Naturally occurring, inorganic substance with definite chemical composition and crystalline structure

Crystal

Solid with a regular, repeating arrangement of atoms, molecules, or ions

--- Rocks vs. Soils ---

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Rocks

Aggregation of one or more minerals found in the Earth's crust

Soils

Unconsolidated materials from disintegration of different rock types; mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, and liquids

Igneous Rocks

Rock type formed by crystallization of magma

Sedimentary Rocks

Rock type formed by compaction and cementation of sediments

Metamorphic Rocks

Rock type formed by burial under high temperatures and pressures

Coarse-grained Soil

Soil type consisting of gravel and sand

Fine-grained Soil

Soil type consisting of silt and clay

Highly Organic Soil

Soil type; also known as peat