9 Terms
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Geology
The science that comprises the study of the solid Earth and the processes by which it is shaped and changed.
Industry: Earth science
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Geology
hornblende schist
Earth science; Geology
A schist rich in hornblende. Generally with abundant plagioclase feldspar as well. Grades into amphibolite.
hornfels
Earth science; Geology
A dark, very fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the recrystallization of a fine-grained rock by heat from a nearby igneous intrusion. From the German, meaning horn rock.
hot spot
Earth science; Geology
An area of concentrated heat in the mantle that produces magma that rises to the Earth's surface to form volcanic islands. The volcanic activity of the Hawaiian Islands is one example. Hot spots ...
flaggy
Earth science; Geology
Term used to describe sedimentary or metamorphic rocks that tend to split into layers that are 1-10 cm thick.
ablation
Earth science; Geology
As applied to glacier ice, the process by which ice below the snow line is wasted by evaporation and melting.
absolute age
Earth science; Geology
The approximate age of a geologic event, feature, fossil, or rock in years. 'Absolute' ages are determined by using natural radioactive 'clocks'. The preferred term is radiometric age.
accretion
Earth science; Geology
The process by which the terrestrial planets grew, increasing their mass by gradually accumulating smaller bodies, called planetesimals.
