tectonics

subduction

Plate descending beneath another

• convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
• divergenceSeparation from common origin
• transformChange completely in form

boundary · lithosphere · asthenosphere · mantle · Pangaea · Gondwana · mid-ocean ridge · trench · fault · isostasy

mountain

Tall natural landmass

• ridgeNarrow raised strip
• plateauFlat highland area
• escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations

uplift · folding · faulting · collision zone · Himalayas · Andes · Alps · Rockies · mountain building · deformation

eruption

Violent sudden release

• lavaErupted liquid stone
• magmaMolten rock underground
• calderaCollapsed volcanic summit basin

vent · crater · fumarole · basalt · andesite · rhyolite · hotspot · magma chamber · volcanic arc · volcanism

earthquake

Seismic ground movement

• seismographEarthquake measuring device
• aftershockSmaller quake following larger
• tremorInvoluntary rhythmic shaking

epicenter · magnitude · Richter · liquefaction · faultline · shockwave · intensity · seismology · rupture · foreshock

stratigraphy

Study of rock layers

• sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
• geochronologyStudy of geological ages
• mineralogyScience of inorganic solids

petrology · metamorphism · geomorphology · erosion · rock cycle · deep time · geological survey · core sample · outcrop · formation

structure

Arrangement of interconnected parts

• facadeDeceptive outward appearance
• cantileverBeam supported one end
• columnVertical structural element

arch · dome · truss · buttress · load-bearing · structural integrity · framework · tension · compression · engineering

• Earthearth, Earth, globe, continent, axis
• earth scienceatmosphere, earthquake, geology, volcano, crust
• geologybedrock, fault lines, faults, rock, basalt
• Physical Sciencesphysics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, meteorology
• Earth processeserosion, weathering, volcanism, sedimentation, earthquakes
• Earth Sciencesgeology, geoscience, earth science, meteorology, oceanography