outcropping
Stone breaking surface
An outcropping is a portion of rock that protrudes through the soil or appears at the surface: Granite outcroppings dotted the hillside.
The word extends to anything that emerges or juts out from its surroundings.
Outcrop means the same thing and is more common in technical geological writing.
Solid earthen material
- boulderLarge weathered stone
- cragSteep rugged outcrop
- ledgeProjecting horizontal surface
- torHigh rocky outcrop
pinnacle · bedrock · projection · overhang · protrusion · jut · spur · exposure
Vertical rock wall
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
- plateauFlat highland area
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
summit · bluff · hillock · knoll · elevation · highland · upland · terrain
Parallel geological layers
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
- veinVessel toward heart
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
basalt · sedimentary · igneous · metamorphic · quartzite · shale · sandstone · bedrock
Metal-bearing rock
- crystalOrdered-atom solid
- quartzCrystalline silicon dioxide
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- micaLayered silicate mineral
gypsum · calcite · pyrite · galena · magnetite · hematite · geode · mineralization
Visually pleasing, paintable
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- majesticImpressively dignified and beautiful
- panoramicOffering unobstructed wide view
- spectacularStrikingly impressive to behold
rugged · dramatic · striking · imposing · vista · landmark · viewpoint · overlook
Organized exploratory journey
- surveySystematic data collection
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
- excavationAct of unearthing
prospecting · fieldwork · research · trekking · hiking · discovery · reconnaissance · sampling
rock
Solid earthen material
tor · pinnacle · bedrock · projection · overhang · protrusion · jut · spur · exposure · shelf
cliff
Vertical rock wall
ridge · summit · bluff · hillock · knoll · elevation · highland · upland · terrain · topography
strata
Parallel geological layers
granite · basalt · sedimentary · igneous · metamorphic · quartzite · shale · sandstone · bedrock · erosion
ore
Metal-bearing rock
mica · gypsum · calcite · pyrite · galena · magnetite · hematite · geode · mineralization · lode
picturesque
Visually pleasing, paintable
- breathtakingAstonishingly beautiful or exciting
- majesticImpressively dignified and beautiful
- panoramicOffering unobstructed wide view
spectacular · rugged · dramatic · striking · imposing · vista · landmark · viewpoint · overlook · photogenic
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- surveySystematic data collection
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
excavation · prospecting · fieldwork · research · trekking · hiking · discovery · reconnaissance · sampling · scouting
- ocean circulationocean current, currents, conveyor belt, global circulation, overturning