Earth science

Earth science

Any of several geological sciences that are concerned with the earth, its origins, and all of its various structures and physical forms and phenomena.

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Earth science > Geology

columnar jointing

Earth science; Geology

The type of jointing that breaks rock, typically basalt, into columnar prisms. Usually the joints form a more or less distinct hexagonal pattern.

concordant

Earth science; Geology

Lying parallel to, rather than cutting across surrounding strata.

continental arc

Earth science; Geology

A belt of volcanic mountains on the continental mainland that lie above a subduction zone. compare island arc.

continental deserts

Earth science; Geology

Located in continental interior far from moisture-bearing winds.

co-product

Earth science; Geology

A mineral commodity that is recovered from a mining operation for some other mineral product. Example: Platinum is commonly a co-product of nickel mining.

cross-cutting relationships

Earth science; Geology

Geologic discontinuities that suggest relative ages: A geologic feature is younger than the feature it cuts. Thus, a fault cutting across a rock is younger than the rock.