Geology and Earth Sciences Overview

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts in geology and related earth sciences as discussed in the lecture notes.

Geology

The study of Earth, its materials, and processes.

Physical Geology

Focuses on Earth materials and the processes acting on them.

Geochemistry

Branch of geology that studies the chemical composition of Earth materials.

Petrology

Sub-discipline that deals with the study of rocks.

Historical Geology

Aims to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth over time.

Paleontology

Branch of geology most concerned with the study of fossils.

Engineering Geology

Application of geologic principles to engineering practice.

Site Investigation

Geology's importance in determining rock types, faults, and groundwater levels before construction.

Slope Stability

Assessment of rock structure, weathering, and groundwater.

Seismology

Branch of geology that studies earthquakes and seismic waves.

Hydrogeology

The study of the distribution and movement of groundwater.

Protoplanetary Disk

Flattened rotating disk of gas and dust around a young star.

Nebular Hypothesis

Widely accepted hypothesis for the formation of the solar system.

Differentiation

Process where the Earth separated into layers based on density.

Outgassing

Process responsible for forming the early atmosphere and oceans.

Lithification

Process that turns sediments into sedimentary rock through compaction and cementation.

Foliation

Texture associated with metamorphic rocks due to the alignment of minerals.

Clastic Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from rock fragments.

Chemical Rocks

Sedimentary rocks formed from crystallized minerals from solutions.

Granite

An example of intrusive igneous rock.

Marble

An example of metamorphic rock formed from limestone.

Quartzite

Non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from sandstone.

Metamorphism

Process of transformation of existing rocks by heat and pressure.

Rock Cycle

Illustrates how rocks transform from one type to another over time.