Earth Science Exam 2 Study Guide

What are the main types of weathering processes?

Mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.

What is soil formation influenced by?

Weathering, climate, organisms, topography, parent material, and time.

Define erosion in the context of sedimentary processes.

The process of wearing away and transporting materials from one location to another.

What are the different sediment types?

Clastic, chemical, and organic.

What is lithification?

The process of converting sediments into solid rock.

Name some types of sedimentary rocks.

Sandstone, limestone, shale, and conglomerate.

What are sedimentary structures?

Features within sedimentary rocks that form during or after deposition.

What are the types of metamorphism?

Contact metamorphism, regional metamorphism, and dynamic metamorphism.

What are some agents of metamorphism?

Temperature, pressure, and chemically active fluids.

What types of metamorphic changes occur?

Textural changes (size and shape of minerals) and mineralogical changes (new minerals forming).

What are common types of metamorphic rocks?

Gneiss, schist, marble, and slate.

What does geologic time refer to?

The vast time scale over which geological processes occur.

What are relative dating methods?

Techniques used to determine the chronological order of geological events without assigning exact ages.

What are stratigraphic principles?

Rules for interpreting the layers of rocks to understand the sequence of events in Earth's history.

How can relative ages be interpreted in geology?

By using principles such as superposition, original horizontality, and cross-cutting relationships.

What is absolute dating?

A method of determining the exact age of rocks or fossils by using quantitative techniques.

What is significant about the history of the age of the Earth?

It reflects the evolving understanding of geological time and events from ancient civilizations to modern science.

What is clastic sediment?

Clastic sediment is made up of fragments of pre-existing rocks and minerals that are produced by weathering and erosion.

What is chemical sediment?

Chemical sediment is formed from the precipitation of minerals from solution, often as a result of evaporation or biological activity.

What is contact metamorphism?

Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks are heated by nearby molten magma, resulting in changes in texture and mineral composition.

What is regional metamorphism?

Regional metamorphism occurs over large areas under conditions of high pressure and temperature, typically related to tectonic forces and mountain building.

What is dynamic metamorphism?

Dynamic metamorphism is caused by mechanical deformation and pressure, often occurring along faults and shear zones.

What is mechanical weathering?

Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition, typically through physical forces such as freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion, and thermal expansion.

What is chemical weathering?

Chemical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks through chemical reactions, leading to changes in mineral composition and the formation of new minerals, often involving water and acids.

What is absolute dating?

A method of determining the exact age of rocks or fossils by using quantitative techniques.

What are numerical dating methods?

Numerical dating methods provide a specific age or date for a rock or fossil, often using radiometric techniques to measure the decay of radioactive isotopes.