geology
Study of strata
Geology is the scientific study of Earth—its rocks, minerals, structure, and the processes that shape it over time.
Geologists examine everything from volcanic activity to fossil records to understand the planet's history and predict future changes.
The field extends to other planetary bodies: lunar geology, Martian geology.
Informally, the geology of a place refers to its rock formations and terrain: The geology here is mostly limestone.
Formed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
basalt · sandstone · shale · marble · slate · gneiss · schist · quartzite
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
valley · plateau · mountain · ridge · basin · alluvial fan · floodplain · terrace
Parallel geological layers
- layerSingle thickness of material
- formationCreation or arrangement
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
- unconformityGap in rock sequence
superposition · correlation · sequence · facies · outcrop · cross-section · column · depositional
Scientific study of rocks
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- geomorphologyStudy of terrain formation
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
Flat eating dishes
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- riftCrack or estrangement
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
transform · boundary · lithosphere · asthenosphere · crust · mantle · fault · collision
Research conducted on location
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- outcropSurfacing native stone
- hammerTool for striking nails
- hand lensHandheld magnification device
thin section · core sample · drill · borehole · cross-section · strike · dip · compass
Extinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
- archaeopteryxEarly feathered dinosaur genus
ichthyosaur · pterosaur · coprolite · preservation · impression · cast · mold · amber
Crystalline silicon dioxide
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- micaLayered silicate mineral
- calciteCrystalline calcium carbonate
- olivineGreen igneous rock mineral
pyroxene · amphibole · magnetite · hematite · pyrite · galena · halite · gypsum
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
- calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin
vent · crater · cone · shield volcano · stratovolcano · lava dome · hotspot · fumarole
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- hypocenterEarthquake's underground origin point
magnitude · Richter · seismograph · fault line · rupture · liquefaction · shockwave · P-wave
Earliest geological eon
- CambrianEarliest Paleozoic period
- OrdovicianPaleozoic geological period
- SilurianPaleozoic period, mid-range
- DevonianGeologic period, 419-359 million years ago
Carboniferous · Permian · Triassic · Jurassic · Cretaceous · Paleogene · Quaternary · Paleozoic
igneous
Formed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
limestone · basalt · sandstone · shale · marble · slate · gneiss · schist · quartzite · obsidian
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
canyon · valley · plateau · mountain · ridge · basin · alluvial fan · floodplain · terrace · karst
strata
Parallel geological layers
- layerSingle thickness of material
- formationCreation or arrangement
- beddingMaterials covering a mattress
unconformity · superposition · correlation · sequence · facies · outcrop · cross-section · column · depositional · transgression
petrology
Scientific study of rocks
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- geomorphologyStudy of terrain formation
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
plates
Flat eating dishes
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- riftCrack or estrangement
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
divergence · transform · boundary · lithosphere · asthenosphere · crust · mantle · fault · collision · orogeny
fieldwork
Research conducted on location
hand lens · thin section · core sample · drill · borehole · cross-section · strike · dip · compass · clinometer
trilobite
Extinct segmented marine arthropod
- ammoniteExtinct spiral-shelled cephalopod
- dinosaurExtinct Mesozoic reptile
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
archaeopteryx · ichthyosaur · pterosaur · coprolite · preservation · impression · cast · mold · amber · extinction
quartz
Crystalline silicon dioxide
olivine · pyroxene · amphibole · magnetite · hematite · pyrite · galena · halite · gypsum · fluorite
eruption
Violent sudden release
- lavaErupted liquid stone
- magmaMolten rock underground
- pyroclasticHot eruption debris
caldera · vent · crater · cone · shield volcano · stratovolcano · lava dome · hotspot · fumarole · geyser
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
- tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
hypocenter · magnitude · Richter · seismograph · fault line · rupture · liquefaction · shockwave · P-wave · S-wave
Precambrian
Earliest geological eon
- CambrianEarliest Paleozoic period
- OrdovicianPaleozoic geological period
- SilurianPaleozoic period, mid-range
Devonian · Carboniferous · Permian · Triassic · Jurassic · Cretaceous · Paleogene · Quaternary · Paleozoic · Mesozoic
- sciencesbiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, mathematics
- natural historynatural history, natural history museum, naturalist, naturalists, natural philosophers
- ologiesbiology, psychology, sociology, ecology, anthropology
- science educationscience fair, science class, science teachers, science lab, science projects
- college coursesbiology, calculus, chemistry, physics, quantum physics
- natural history museumfossils, dinosaurs, specimens, taxidermy, gemstones
geologymeteorology
Study of atmospheric phenomena
astronomy · oceanography · atmospheric science · astrophysics · cosmology
geologymeteorology
Study of atmospheric phenomena
current events · weather forecasting · real-time monitoring · futurology · journalism
geologymathematics
Science of quantity and structure
philosophy · logic · theology · metaphysics · pure mathematics
- geological periodNamed span of Earth history
- geologic historyEarth's temporal record
- geologic erasMajor divisions of deep time
- geologic timeEarth's age measured epochally
- geological erasNamed spans of prehistory
- geologic period
geologist, geologic, geological, geologists, geologically, geologies