Geology

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

aplite

Earth science; Geology

A light-colored igneous rock with the same mineral composition as granite: quartz, plagioclase feldspar, and potassium feldspar, but with a fine-grained, almost sugary texture.

Archean Eon

Earth science; Geology

The time interval between 3800-2500 million years ago. The Archean is one of the Precambrian time intervals.

A clay-rich layer of soil. Clay often forms in overlying soil layers from the decomposition of feldspars and other minerals. The extremely fine clay particles are gradually carried down by water to ...

argillite

Earth science; Geology

Name used for unusually hard, fine-grained sedimentary rocks, such as shale, mudstone, siltstone, and claystone. Commonly black.

ash

Earth science; Geology

Fine particles of volcanic rock and glass blown into the atmosphere by a volcanic eruption.

ash flow

Earth science; Geology

A pyroclastic flow consisting predominantly of ash-sized (less than 4 millimeters in diameter) particles. Also called a glowing avalanche if it is of very high temperature.

asthenosphere

Earth science; Geology

The weak or "soft" zone in the upper mantle just below the lithosphere , involved in plate movement and isostatic adjustments. It lies 70 to 100 km below the surface and may extend to a depth of 400 ...