Geology

Geology

The science that comprises the study of the solid Earth and the processes by which it is shaped and changed.

Contributors in Geology

Geology

A family of silicate minerals forming prism or needlelike crystals. Amphibole minerals generally contain iron, magnesium, calcium and aluminum in varying amounts, along with water. Hornblende always ...

amphibolite

Earth science; Geology

A rock made up mostly amphibole and plagioclase feldspar. Although the name amphibolite usually refers to a type of metamorphic rock, an igneous rock composed dominantly of amphibole can be called an ...

andesite

Earth science; Geology

A fine-grained volcanic rock of intermediate composition, consisting largely of plagioclase and one or more mafic minerals.

anhydrous

Earth science; Geology

Literally, "without water". Refers to minerals or other materials which do not have water as an primary constituent.

anticline

Earth science; Geology

A fold that is convex upward, or that had such an attitude at some stage of its development. compare syncline

annual snowline

Earth science; Geology

A term used by glaciologists (scientists who study glaciers) for the boundary where the amount of snow loss from melting equals the amount of snow accumulation from snowfall (also called firn limit).