Geology and Paleontology Lecture Notes

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to geology and paleontology.

Sedimentary Rock

The most common type of rock formed from the accumulation and compaction of sediments.

Bed

A single layer of sedimentary rock.

Strata

Multiple layers of sedimentary rock.

Lithification

The process by which sediments compact under pressure, expel fluids, and become a solid rock.

Porosity

The number of holes in a rock.

Permeability

The ability of a rock to let water flow through it.

Turbidity Currents

Underwater sediment avalanche events that occur on the continental slope.

Evaporites

Sedimentary rocks that form from the evaporation of water, such as rock salt and gypsum.

Fossils

Remains or traces of ancient life found in sedimentary rocks.

Uniformitarianism

The geological principle that the processes operating in the past are the same as those observed today.

Index Fossil

A widely distributed fossil that existed for a short period, used for relative dating.

Cyanobacteria

Prokaryotic organisms that perform photosynthesis, often associated with early life.

Metamorphism

The process by which rocks change due to heat and pressure.

Contact Metamorphism

Metamorphism that occurs when heat from molten rock alters surrounding rock.

Volcanic Rocks

Also known as extrusive rocks, formed from lava that cools on the Earth's surface.

Plutonic Rocks

Also known as intrusive rocks, formed from magma that cools beneath the Earth's surface.

Pahoehoe Lava

Smooth, unbroken surface lava.

Aa Lava

Rough, blocky lava.

Protolith

An unmetamorphosed rock that can undergo metamorphism.