Sediments, Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks, and Earthquakes

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to sediments, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, and earthquakes based on the lecture notes.

Sediment Production

The process by which loose rock/mineral fragments or shell/crystal materials are formed by weathering.

Physical Weathering

The mechanical breakdown of rocks through processes such as jointing, frost wedging, root wedging, and salt wedging.

Chemical Weathering

The breakdown of rocks through chemical processes like dissolution, oxidation, and hydrolysis.

Differential Weathering

The phenomenon where edges and corners of rocks weather faster than flat surfaces.

Soil Classification

The categorization of soil based on texture, structure, and color; includes types like Aridisol, Alfisol, and Oxisol.

Clastic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from fragments of other rocks.

Lithification

The process of turning sediment into rock through compaction and cementation.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks formed from the solid-state transformation of protoliths due to heat, pressure, and fluids.

Foliated Rocks

Metamorphic rocks that have a layered or banded appearance, such as slate and schist.

Seismic Waves

Waves of energy that travel through the Earth, including P-waves, S-waves, Love waves, and Rayleigh waves.

Magnitude vs. Intensity

Magnitude is a measure of energy release from an earthquake, while intensity is an observation of damage done.