Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
aa a lava flow that solidifies with a blocky high-relief surface
ablation melting of ice in the context of glaciation
ablation till till that is formed when englacial and supraglacial sediments are deposited because the ice that was supporting them melts
abyssal plain the flat surface of the deep ocean, typically beyond the limits of the continental slopes
abyssal pelagic zone the deeper parts of the ocean, between 4000 and 6000 m.
accretion (plate tectonics) the process by which continental blocks (terranes) are added to existing continental areas
accretion (planetary) the process by which solid celestial bodies are added to existing bodies during collisions
acid rock drainage (acid mine drainage) the production of acid from oxidation of sulphide minerals (especially pyrite) in either naturally or anthropogenically exposed rock
aeolian processes related to transportation and deposition of sediments by wind
aerobic processes that take place in the presence of abundant oxygen
aerosol an aggregate of fine solid particles or a small droplet of liquid suspended in the air
aftershock an earthquake that can be shown to have been caused by another earthquake
aggregate unconsolidated materials (typically sediments) that are used in the construction industry
albedo the reflectivity of a surface of a planet (expressed as the percentage of light that reflects)
albite sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar
alpine glacier a glacier formed in a mountainous region and confined to a valley (same as valley glacier)
amphibole a double-chain ferromagnesian silicate mineral (e.g., hornblende)
amphibolite a foliated metamorphic rock in which the mineral amphibole as an important component
amplification in the context of seismic shaking the process by which the amplitude of the seismic waves are enhanced
amplitude for any type of wave, the difference in height between a crest and the adjacent trough
anaerobic processes that take place without oxygen
andesite a volcanic rock of intermediate composition
anion a negatively charged ion
angular unconformity a geological boundary at the base of a sedimentary layer where the sedimentary rock beneath has been tilted or folded and then eroded
anorthite calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar
Antarctic Bottom Water water at abyssal depths in the ocean that forms from the sinking of dense cold water adjacent to Antarctica
anticline an upward fold where the beds are known not to be overturned
anthracite a high grade of coal (92 to 98% carbon) that is formed from deep burial and weak metamorphism
anthropogenic resulting from the influence of humans
antiform an upward fold where it is not known if the beds have been overturned
apparent polar wandering path a path of seeming varying magnetic pole positions defined by paleomagnetic data, which is in fact an artefact of the motion of contients
aphanitic an igneous texture characterized by crystals that are too small to see with the naked eye
aquifer a body of rock or sediment that has sufficient permeability to allow it to be used as a source of groundwater
aquitard a body of rock or sediment that has insufficient permeability to allow it to be used as a source of groundwater
arch a rock weathering remnant in the form of an arch (typically along a coast and resulting from wave erosion)
arenite a sandstone with less than 15% silt and clay
arête a sharp ridge that separates adjacent glacially carved valleys
arkose a sandstone with more than 10% feldspar and more feldspar than lithic fragments
arkosic arenite an arkose with less than 15% clay/silt matrix
artesian well a well that is completed in a confined aquifer and in which the water level in the well rises above the top of the aquifer
asteroid a rocky body orbiting the Sun
asteroid belt the region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter that is populated with many asteroids
asthenosphere the part of the mantle, from about 100 to 200 km below surface, within which the mantle material is close to its melting point, and therefore relatively weak
asymmetrical (folds) where the two sides of the fold make significantly different angles with respect to the axial plane
atoll a ring-shaped carbonate (or coral) reef or series of islands
atomic mass the total number of neutrons plus protons in an atom
atomic number the total number of protons in an atom
attitude the orientation of a sloping geological feature, such as a bedding plane or fracture
aureole a zone of metamorphism around a source of heat such as a magma body
axial plane a plane that can be traced through all of the hinge lines of a fold
B
back reef the zone of shallow water on the shore-side of a reef
background (geochemistry) the typical level of an element in average rocks or sediments
backwash the wash of wave water down the slope of a beach
banded iron formation an iron-bearing sedimentary rock that is rich in minerals such as hematite and magnetite, and interbedded with chert stained red by hematite
bank-full stage the water level of stream when it is in flood and just about to flow over its banks
barrier reef a carbonate (or coral) reef that forms a barrier to waves along a coast
basal sliding the motion of glacial ice along the base of a glacier that is warm enough to have liquid water
basalt a volcanic rock of mafic composition
base level (stream) the base level is the lowest level that a stream can erode down to, as defined by the ocean, a lake or another stream that it flows into
batholith an irregular body of intrusive igneous rock that has an exposed surface of at least 100 km2bathypelagic zone the moderately deep parts of the ocean, between 1000 and 4000 m.
baymouth bar a spit that extends across the mouth of a bay
beach face the part of the beach that is relatively steep and lies between the high and low tide levels
bed a sedimentary layer
bed load the fraction of a stream’s sediment load that typically rests on the bottom and is moved by saltation and traction
bedding repeated layering in a sedimentary rock
bentonite a smectite clay that has strong swelling properties and is effective at absorbing dissolved ions
berm a flat area of a beach in the backshore area (above the high tide level)
big-bang theory the theory that the universe started by expanding suddenly from a single point approximately 13.77 billion years ago
biochemical sedimentary rock a rock formed when biological processes cause ions to precipitate (e.g., when organisms make shells of calcite or silica)
biotite a sheet-silicate mineral (mica) that includes iron and or magnesium, and is therefore a ferromagnesian silicate
biozone a stratigraphic interval that can be defined on the basis of a specific fossil
bituminous coal a medium-grade type of coal with 70 to 92% carbon
blueschist 1. (metamorphic rock) a schist with blue colouring due to the presence of the mineral glaucophane. Formed in subduction zones. 2. (metamorphic facies) a facies characterized by relatively low temperatures and high pressures, such as can exist within a subduction zone
body wave a seismic wave that travels through rock (e.g., a P-wave or an S-wave)
boulder a sediment clast with a diameter of at least 256 mm
Bowen’s reaction series the scheme that defines the typical order of crystallization of minerals from magma as the magma cools
braided a stream pattern which is characterized by abundant sediment and numerous intertwining channels around bars
breakwater a structure built offshore in order to deflect the energy of waves
breccia a sedimentary or volcanic rock texture characterized by angular clasts
brunisol a relatively immature forest soil, lacking in well-defined horizons
burial when a layer of sediment is covered by subsequent sediment accumulation
C
caldera a volcanic depression that forms when part of the volcano collapses into an empty magma chamber
caliche a white calcium-carbonate rich layer within soils in arid regions
calving the loss of ice from the front of a glacier by collapse into water
Canadian Shield the exposed part of the continent Laurentia
carbonate a mineral for which the anion is CO3-2carbonate compensation depth the depth in the ocean below which carbonate minerals are soluble
cation a positively charged ion
cementation the process by which minerals are precipitated between grains in sediments, locking the grains together
Cenozoic the most recent of the eras, representing the past 65.5 Ma of geological time
chemical sedimentary rock a sedimentary rock comprised of material that was transported as ions in solution, then precipitated by inorganic means (e.g., precipitation triggered by evaporation)
chemical weathering chemical reactions at Earth’s surface which break down rocks and minerals
chernozem black soil typical of grasslands in cold climates such as the Canadian Prairies
chert very fine-grained sedimentary rock formed almost entirely of silica
chilled margin edges of a pluton which cool rapidly through contact with country rock, resulting in finer grain sizes than in the interior of the pluton
chlorite ferromagnesian sheet silicate mineral, typically present as fine crystals and forming from the low-temperature metamorphism of mafic rock
cinder cone steep-sided volcano comprised almost entirely of loose rock fragments, and typically formed during a single eruptive event
cirque a steep-sided semi-circular basin eroded by an alpine glacier at the head of its valley
clast a sedimentary fragment of mineral or rock
clastic sedimentary rock a sedimentary rock comprised of material that was transported as clasts or fragments
clay sediment particle that is less than 1/256 mm in diameter
clay mineral a hydrous sheet-silicate mineral that typically exists as clay-sized grains
claystone a sedimentary rock comprised mostly of clay-sized grains
cleavage tendency for a mineral to break along smooth planes that are predetermined by its lattice structure
climate feedback a case in which the effects of a climate forcing trigger other changes which either amplify or mute the effects of the initial forcing
climate forcing a mechanism, such as a change in greenhouse gas levels, that causes the climate to change
coal an organic sedimentary rock formed by the compression and heating of vegetative organic matter. Types of coal include lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite.
coal-bed methane methane that is trapped within the pores of coal within a coal seam
coastal straightening the tendency for an irregular coast to be straightened over time by coastal erosion processes
cobble sediment particle that is between 64 and 256 mm in diameter
col the low point or pass along a ridge between two glacial valleys
columnar jointing the fractures in volcanic rock forming columns that are typically 6-sided, resulting from cooling and contraction of the rock
composite volcano (or stratovolcano) a volcano that is constructed of alternating layers of pyroclastic debris and lava flows
concentrate (mining) a product of ore processing that includes a specific ore mineral, separated from the rest of the rock
concordant parallel to pre-existing layering or foliation within a rock
cone of depression the depression of the water table around a well that is heavily pumped
confined aquifer an aquifer that lies below a confining layer
confining layer an aquitard that overlies an aquifer and restricts the flow of water down from the surface
confining pressure pressure resulting from the weight of overlying rocks
conglomerate a sedimentary rock that is comprised predominantly of rounded grains that are larger than 2 mm
contact metamorphism metamorphism that takes place adjacent to a source of heat, such as a body of magma
continental drift the concept that tectonic plates can move across the surface of the Earth
continental glacier a glacier that covers a significant part of a continent and has an area of at least 50,000 km2continental shelf the shallow (typically less than 200 m) and flat sub-marine extension of a continent
continental slope the steeper part of a continental margin, that slopes down from a continental shelf towards the abyssal plain
contractionism the now discredited theory that mountain ranges formed as a result of the contraction of the Earth
convergent boundary a plate boundary at which the two plates are moving towards each other
Cordilleran Ice Sheet the continental glacier that covered part of western North America, including almost all of British Columbia, part of the Yukon, and part of northern Washington, during the Pleistocene glaciations
core the metallic interior part of the Earth, extending from a depth of 2900 km to Earth’s centre
core-mantle boundary (CMB) the boundary, at 2900 km depth, between the mantle and the core
Coriolis effect the tendency for moving bodies (e.g., ocean currents) to rotate on the surface of the Earth, clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counter-clockwise in the southern hemisphere
cosmic microwave background (CMB) a radiation “fog” left over from the an early stage in the development of the universe, when the universe was too dense to allow photons to travel far without being scattered
country rock the original rock of a region, into which younger rock (typically igneous) rock has been intruded
covalent bond a bond between two atoms in which electrons are shared
crater a volcanic depression that is related to a specific volcanic vent
craton a region of ancient (typically Precambrian) crystalline rock (equivalent to a shield)
creep the very slow (mm to cm per year) flow of unconsolidated material on a gentle slope
crest the highest point on a wave
crevasse an open fissure on the surface of a glacier
cross bedding small-scale inclined bedding within larger horizontal beds
crust the uppermost layer of the Earth, ranging in thickness from about 5 km (in the oceans) to over 50 km (on the continents)
cryptocrystalline refers to the texture of a rock or mineraloid in which crystals are so small that they are almost undetectable even with magnification
cyanobacteria photosynthetic bacteria that evolved in the early Archean
D
D” layer (d-double-prime layer) a low seismic velocity zone within the basal 200 km of the mantle
debris flow a gravity-driven flow of water and sediment that includes a significant proportion of coarse (cobble to boulder) material
decline (mining) a sloped tunnel used to access lower parts of a mine with wheeled equipment
decompression melting melting (or partial melting) of rock resulting from a reduction in pressure without a significant reduction in temperature
Deep time (geologic time). The long timescales (millions to billions of years) over which geologic processes happen.
dendritic a pattern of drainage channels that resembles the branches in a tree
density weight per volume of a substance (e.g., g/cm3)
deposition when sediments are dropped out of the medium carrying them, and begin to accumulate in layers
deranged (drainage) a pattern of drainage channels that is chaotic
detrital referring to fragments of rocks or minerals
diatom photosynthetic algae that make their tests (shells) from silica
differentiation the un-mixing of a molten planetary body, resulting in the formation of a metallic core and a silicate mantle
dike a tabular intrusive igneous body that is discordant to any existing layering in the country rock
diorite an intermediate intrusive igneous rock
dip the angle below horizontal at which a sedimentary bed or other feature slopes
directed pressure (also, differential stress, directional pressure) pressure which is greater in one direction than in others (e.g., compression, tension)
discharge the volume of water flow in a stream expressed in terms of volume per unit time (e.g., m3/s)
discharge area the part of an aquifer where groundwater discharge takes place
disconformity a boundary between parallel sedimentary layers where some erosion of the lower layer has taken place
discordant when a geological feature is not parallel to any existing layering in the country rock
dissolution when water molecules take a substance apart by capturing its ions and keeping them separated (a type of chemical weathering)
divalent an ion with a charge or +2 or -2
divergent a plate boundary at which the two plates are moving away from each other
dodecahedron an object with twelve surfaces, such as a garnet crystal
dolomite a calcium-magnesium carbonate mineral (Ca,Mg)CO3. Also, a rock made out of that mineral (see also dolostone)
dolomitization the addition of magnesium to limestone during which some or all of the calcium carbonate is converted to dolomite
dolostone a carbonate rock made up primarily of the mineral dolomite
drainage basin the catchment area of a stream, including the area where all surface water drains into the stream
drop stone a fragment of rock within otherwise fine-grained sediment that has been dropped from floating ice on a body of water
drumlin a streamlined glacial erosional feature comprised of sediments and/or bedrock
dyke see dike
E
eccentricity (Milankovitch cycles) the degree to which the sun is offset from the geometric centre of the Earth’s orbit
eclogite a garnet-pyroxene-glaucophane bearing rock that is the product of high-pressure metamorphism of oceanic crustal rock, typically within a subduction zone
effusive a volcanic eruption dominated by the relatively gentle flow of lava
El Niño a periodic climatic situation in which warm water extends all or most of the way to the eastern edge of the equatorial Pacific
elastic deformation deformation from which a material can fully recover if the stress is removed
electron sub-atomic particle with a single negative charge
end moraine sediment deposit that accumulates at the front of a glacier
englacial within a glacier, referring especially to sediment carried within the glacial ice
epicentre the location on the surface vertically above the location (i.e., “hypocentre” or “focus”) where an earthquake takes place
epipelagic zone the upper layer of water (0 to 200 m) in areas of the open ocean
epithermal deposit a mineral deposit formed near to surface in an area of hydrothermal activity, typically associated with a body of magma
equilibrium line (glacier) the line between the zone of accumulation and the zone of ablation (in late summer the equilibrium line is the boundary between snow-covered ice and bare ice)
equipotential lines (groundwater) lines connecting locations with equal hydraulic head or water pressure
erosion the process of transporting sediments away from their source
esker a ridge of sediment deposited by a sub-glacial stream
eustatic sea level change sea level change related to a change in the volume of the oceans, typically because of an increase or decrease in the amount of glacial ice on land
evaporite a chemical sedimentary rock that forms when evaporation concentrates the ions in a solution to the point where they begin to precipitate out
exfoliation (weathering) the fracturing of rock that results from a reduction in the pressure when overlying rock is eroded away
exoplanet a planet that orbits a star other than the sun
extrusive igneous rock that cooled at Earth’s surface
F
fall (mass wasting) the vertical or near-vertical downward movement of rock
fault boundary in rock or sediment along which displacement has taken place
feedback when one process triggers others which either amplify or mute the original process
feldspar a very common framework silicate mineral
feldspathic arenite a sandstone consisting predominantly of sand-sized grains and cement (less than 15% fine-grained matrix), and with more than 10% feldspar grains
felsic silica rich (>65% SiO2) in the context of magma or igneous rock
ferric the oxidized form of an ion of iron (Fe3+)
ferromagnesian referring to a silicate mineral that contains iron and or magnesium
ferrous the reduced (non-oxidized) form of an ion of iron (Fe2+)
fetch the distance over which wind blows to form waves
finger lake a lake that occupies a glacial valley
firn the granular transitional state between snow and ice within a glacier
flood plain the area that is occupied by water when a stream floods and overtops its banks
flow a mass-wasting event where material moves which is saturated with water
flow path the path that groundwater flows along between a recharge area and a discharge area
flowing artesian well an artesian well in which the water level naturally rises above the surface of the ground
flux melting melting of rock that is facilitated by the addition of a flux (typically water) which lowers the rock’s melting point
focus (earthquake) the actual point below surface at which an earthquake takes place (equivalent to hypocentre)
foliation the alignment of mineralogical or structural features of a rock – especially a metamorphic rock
footwall the lower surface of a non-vertical fault
foraminifera single-celled protist with a shell that is typically made of CaCO3fore-reef the zone on the ocean side of a reef
formation a unit of sedimentary rock that is lithologically consistent and sufficiently thick and extensive to be shown on a geological map at the scale that is typically used in the area in question
fracking fracturing rock by injecting water and chemicals down a well at very high pressure (equivalent to hydraulic fracturing)
fractional crystallization the sequential crystallization of minerals from magma, and the physical separation of early-forming crystals from the magma in the area where they crystallized
fracture a break within a body of rock in which the rock on either side is not displaced
fringing reef a reef adjacent to a shoreline where there is either a very narrow back reef area or none at all (in which case the reef is effectively attached to the shore)
frost line (also, snow line) in the context of newly forming planetary systems, the distance beyond a star at which volatile components (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia etc.) are frozen
frost wedging physical weathering caused when the expansion of freezing water pries rock apart
G
Ga (giga annum) billions of years before the present
gabbro a mafic intrusive igneous rock
Gaia hypothesis the hypothesis advanced by James Lovelock that the organisms have affected the atmosphere and oceans such that conditions on Earth have been kept habitable, in spite of significantly changing energy received from the Sun
galaxy gravitationally-bound system of stars and interstellar matter
gas giant a large planet composed mostly of hydrogen and helium (e.g. Jupiter)
Geological time (deep time). The long timescales (millions to billions of years) over which geologic processes happen.
Geology. The study of Earth, its materials, and the natural processes acting on and within it.
geosyncline kilometres thick deposit of sediments that has accumulated along the edge of a continent and is sufficient mass to depress the crust beneath it
geothermal gradient the rate of increase of temperature with depth in the Earth (typically around 30˚C/km within the crust)
giant impact hypothesis the theory that the Moon formed when a Mars-sized planet (Theia) collided with the Earth at 4.5 Ga
glacial period a period of Earth’s history during which glacial ice was present over a sufficient extent to have left recognizable evidence
glacial groove a straight line created on a rock surface by erosion by a rock fragment embedded in the base of glacial ice (larger and deeper than a glacial striation)
glacial striation a straight line created on a rock surface by erosion by a rock fragment embedded in the base of glacial ice (finer than a glacial groove – typically less than 1 cm wide)
glacier a long lasting (centuries or more) body of ice on land that moves under its own weight
glaciofluvial referring to sediments deposited from a stream that is derived from a glacier
glaciolacustrine referring to sediments deposited within a lake in a glacial environment
glaciomarine referring to sediments deposited within the ocean in a glacial environment
glaucophane a blue sodium-magnesium-bearing amphibole mineral that forms during metamorphism at high pressures and relatively low pressures, typically within a subduction zone
gneiss high-grade foliated metamorphic rock in which the mineral components are separated into bands of different composition
graben a down-dropped fault block, bounded on either side by normal faults
grade 1. (mineral deposit) the amount of a specific metal or mineral expressed as a proportion of the whole rock. 2. (coal) the extent to which carbon has been concentrated within the coal, and the possible energy output on combustion has increased
graded bedding an individual sedimentary layer that shows a distinctive gradation in grain size (normal graded bedding is finer towards the top, reverse graded bedding is coarser towards the top)
gradient the slope of a stream bed over a specific distance, typically expressed in m per km
grain size the diameter of a fragment (clast) of sediment
granite a felsic intrusive igneous rock
granule a sedimentary particle ranging in size from 2 to 4 mm in diameter
greenhouse gas a gaseous molecule with 3 or more atoms that is able to absorb infrared radiation
greenhouse effect (climate) the ability of an atmosphere to absorb infrared radiation due to the presence of greenhouse gases
greenschist 1. (metamorphic rock) a foliated metamorphosed rock (typically derived from basalt) in which the green colouration is derived from either chlorite, epidote, or green amphibole. 2. (metamorphic facies) low-grade metamorphic facies characteristic of regional metamorphism
greenstone a non-foliated metamorphosed rock (typically derived from basalt) in which the green colouration is derived from either chlorite, epidote or green amphibole. Can be formed by hydrothermal metamorphism on the ocean floor.
greywacke a sandstone with more than 15% silt and clay, and with a significant proportion of sand-sized rock fragments
groundwater water that lies beneath the surface of the ground
group a stratigraphically continuous series of related formations
groyne a man-made structure extending from the shore built to deflect the energy of waves
gyre a closed circular ocean current
H
habit a characteristic crystal form or combination of forms of a mineral
habitable zone the region around a star that is considered to be suitable for a life-bearing planet
Hadean the first eon of Earth history, extending from 4.57 to 3.80 Ga
halide a mineral in which the anion is one of the halide elements (e.g., halite – NaCl or fluorite – CaF2)
halite NaCl, a halide mineral which consititutes table salt
halogen an element in the second-last column of the periodic table that forms anions with a negative-1 charge
hanging valley a glacial valley created by a tributary glacier which does not erode as deeply as the main-valley glacier that it joins
hanging wall the upper surface of a non-vertical fault
headland a point extending out to sea
horn a peak that has been eroded on at least three sides by glaciers
hornfels a fine-grained metamorphic rock that is not foliated. It can have a variety of parent rocks.
horst an uplifted fault block, bounded on either side by normal faults
hot spot the surface area of volcanism and high heat flow above a mantle plume
hydrated mineral a mineral that includes either hydroxyl (OH) or water (H2O) in its chemical formula (e.g., gypsum CaSO4.2H2O)
hydraulic conductivity an expression of the rate at which a liquid will flow through a porous medium, as determined by the permeability of the medium and the viscosity of the liquid
hydraulic fracturing fracturing rock by injecting water and chemicals down a well at very high pressure (equivalent to fracking)
hydrolysis a reaction between a mineral and water in which H+ ions are added to the mineral and a chemically equivalent amount of cations are released into solution
hydrothermal refers to hot water solutions and processes involving hot water solutions
hydrothermal alteration chemical alteration of minerals by hot water solutions
hydroxide the anion OH– or an mineral that includes that anion
hypocentre the actual point below surface at which an earthquake takes place (equivalent to focus)
Hypothesis. An informed speculation about how the world works. Scientific hypotheses must be testable.
I
ice giant a planet that is comprised mainly of gases heavier than hydrogen and helium, including oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur (e.g., Uranus and Neptune)
igneous a rock formed from the cooling of magma
illite a clay mineral with a composition similar to that of muscovite mica
imbricate aligned and overlapping, like the tiles on a roof
index fossil a fossil with a distinctive appearance and a wide geographic range but from a relatively restricted time range, thus making it useful for dating a correlating rocks from different regions (the most useful index fossils are from organisms that lived for less than a million years)
index mineral (metamorphic rocks) a mineral with a stability range of pressures and temperatures sufficiently narrow so as to be useful in indicating the pressures and temperatures at which a metamorphic rock formed.
inert in chemistry, an element that does not readily react with other elements (e.g., neon)
infiltration the recharge of groundwater from the downward percolation of surface water
insolation a measure of the intensity of solar energy at a specific location or time (expressed in W/m2)
intensity in seismology, a qualitative measure of the amount of shaking at specific location, based on what was felt by observers, or the amount of damage done
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) an international body established in 1988 by the UN’s World Meteorological Organization and the UN Environment Program to prepare periodic reports on the status of global climate change and its mitigation
intrusive an igneous rock (pluton) that has cooled slowly beneath the surface
ionic bond a bond in which electrons are transferred from one atom to another, thus forming ions
ion an atom that has either gained or lost electrons and has thus become charged (or a group of atoms that also has a charge – e.g., HCO3–)
isoclinal fold a tight fold in which the limbs are parallel to each other
isostasy the equilibrium between a block of crust floating on the underlying plastic mantle
isostatic sea-level change the effect on relative sea level of a vertical adjustment of the crust resulting from a change in the mass of the crust (e.g., from losing or gaining ice)
isotherm a surface or line drawn to represent points at the same temperature. (iso = same)
isotope a form of an element that differs from other forms because it has a different number of neutrons (e.g., 16O has 8 protons and 8 neutrons while 18O has 8 protons and 10 neutrons)
J
joint a fracture in rock where the rock on one side has not moved relative to the other side
jointing the formation of joints
Jovian planet a gas giant planet
K
ka (kilo annum) thousands of years before the present
kaolinite a clay mineral that does not have cations other than Al and Si
karst the solutional erosion of an area with soluble rock (typically limestone) to form depressions and caves
kettle a depression formed at the front of a large glacier when a stranded ice block that was surrounded by sediment eventually melts
kettle lake a lake that forms within a kettle
kimberlite an ultramafic volcanic rock that originates at significant depth (> 200 m) in the mantle (some kimberlites include diamonds)
Kuiper belt a region of the Solar System beyond the orbit of Neptune that is populated by small objects and dwarf planets (including Pluto)
L
laccolith concordant intrusion in which the central part has bulged upward
lahar a mudflow or debris flow that is either caused by a volcanic eruption, or forms on the flank of a volcano as a result of flooding not related to an eruption
landfill gas gases produced within a landfill during the microbial breakdown of landfill components (most are dominated by carbon dioxide and methane)
large igneous province (LIP) a very large area of mafic volcanic rock produced by a massive eruption typically related to a mantle plume
lateral moraine a deposit of rocky material that forms along the margin of a valley or alpine glacier, mostly from the freeze-thaw release of material from the steep slopes above
lattice the regular and repeating three-dimensional structure of a mineral
Laurentide Ice Sheet the continental glacier that extended across central eastern North America during the Pleistocene, covering most of Canada and a significant part of the United States
lava molten rock on Earth’s surface (cf. magma)
lava levée a ridge that forms along the edge of a lava flow because the magma at the edge cools faster than that in the middle
lava tube a tube that forms as mafic lava flows along a channel and lava leveés build up on either side, eventually forming a roof (once a lava tube forms it insulates the flowing magma, allowing it to stay hot a liquid for longer and therefore flow much further)
Law. A description that always applies to a scientific phenomenon, given specific conditions.
leachate in the context of landfills, the liquid (rainwater) that passes through the waste and becomes contaminated with soluble components from the waste
levée on a stream, the ridge that naturally forms along the edge of the channel during flood events
level in mining, a horizontal mine opening
light year the distance that light can travel in one year (9.4607 x 1012 km)
lignite a low-grade type of coal with less than 70% carbon
limbs the layers of rock on either side of a fold
limestone a biochemical sedimentary rock that is comprised mostly of calcite
liquefaction the tendency for unconsolidated and water saturated sediments to lose strength during seismic shaking
lithic arenite an arenite in which there is more than 10% lithic clasts and in which there are more lithic clasts than feldspar clasts (see also arenite)
lithic clasts fragments of another rock which are included in the sand-sized grains in sandstone, or in the larger grains in conglomerate
lithification the conversion of unconsolidated sediments into rock by compaction and cementation
lithosphere the rigid outer part of the Earth, including the crust and the mantle down to a depth of about 100 km
lithostatic pressure pressure due to the weight of overlying rocks
lodgement till sediment that accumulates at the base of a glacier and typically has a wide range of grain sizes (including clay) and is well compacted
long axis in a crystal, clast, or grain, the direction in which the length would be the greatest
longshore current the movement of water along a shoreline produced by the approach of waves at an angle to the shore
longshore drift the movement of sediment along a shoreline resulting from a longshore current and also from the swash and backwash on a beach face
Love wave a surface seismic wave, with horizontal motion, that develops in relatively weak (e.g., unconsolidated) materials at surface
luvisol a cold climate forest soil formed in which clay has been removed from the A horizon and relocated into the B horizon
M
Ma (Mega annum) millions of years before the present
mafic silica poor (<45% SiO2) in the context of magma or igneous rock, and containing ferromagnesian minerals such as olivine and pyroxene)
magma molten rock within Earth’s interior (cf. lava)
magnetic chronology the study of the timing of reversals of the Earth’s magnetic field, and the application of that understanding to dating geological materials
magnitude a measure of the amount of energy released by an earthquake
mantle the middle layer of the Earth, dominated by iron and magnesium rich silicate minerals and extending for about 2900 km from the base of the crust to the top of the core
mantle plume a plume of hot rock (not magma) that rises through the mantle (either from the base or from part way up) and reaches the surface where it spreads out and also leads to hot-spot volcanism
marble a non-foliated metamorphic rock derived from a limestone or dolostone protolith, in which the calcite or dolomite has been recrystallized into larger crystals
mass wasting the mass failure, by gravity, of rock or unconsolidated material on a slope
matrix finer-grained material between larger clasts within a sedimentary rock
maturity the degree to which a sediment or sedimentary rock exhibits characteristics of prolonged physical and chemical weathering and transpor,t
meander cutoff the formation of a shorter stream channel across the narrow boundary between two meanders on a stream
meandering the sinuous path taken by a stream within a wide flat flood plain
mechanical weathering (also, physical weathering) weathering that occurs when physical processes cause a rock to break into smaller pieces without changing the chemical composition
medial moraine a lateral moraine that has been shifted towards the centre of a valley glacier at a point where two glaciers meet
member a subdivision of a formation
mesopelagic zone the upper middle zone of the open ocean extending from 200 to 1000 m depth
metallic lustre the lustre of a mineral into which light does not penetrate but reflects off of the surface without being scattered (i.e., shines reflects light like a shiny metal)
metallic bond a type of bond in which abundant electrons are easily shared amongst cations
metamorphic facies a group of metamorphic rocks formed under the same range of pressures and temperature conditions, but from different parent rocks
metamorphic grade refers to the intensity of metamorphism, and increases as pressure and temperature increase
metamorphism the transformation of a parent rock into a new rock as a result of heat and pressure that leads to the formation of new minerals, or recrystallization of existing minerals, without melting
metasomatism metamorphism facilitated by ion transfer through water, and which results in a substantial change in the chemical composition (not just the mineral content) of a rock
meteoroid a small fragment of stony or metallic debris in space
methane hydrate a combination of water ice and methane in which the methane is trapped inside “cages” in the ice
mica a sheet-silicate mineral (e.g., biotite, muscovite)
migmatite rock that is part metamorphic and part igneous, formed at very high grades of metamorphism when a part of the parent rock starts to melt
Milankovitch cycles millennial-scale variations in the orbital and rotational parameters of the Earth that have subtle effects on the Earth’s climate
Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho) the boundary between the crust and the mantle
moment magnitude a way of estimating earthquake magnitude based on the area of the rupture surface and the amount of displacement
monogenetic a volcano that forms in a single eruptive event
moraine lake a finger lake that forms within a glacial valley and is dammed by an end moraine
mud crack a dessication crack formed when mud shrinks as it dries
mudflow a mass-wasting event involving the flow of mud (sand, silt and clay) within a channel
mudrock an inclusive term for mudstone, shale and claystone
mudstone a fine-grained clastic sedimentary rock with a mixture of silt-sized and clay-sized particles
muscovite a potassium-bearing non-ferromagnesian mica
N
native element (also, native element mineral) a mineral that consists of only one element (e.g., native gold)
nebula a large cloud of dust and gas in space, frequently hosting the formation of stars
negative feedback a process that results in a decrease in that process (in the context of climate change it is a process that reduces the change in climate, such as the enhanced growth of vegetation in response to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide)
neutron a sub-atomic particle with a mass of 1 and a charge of 0
nonconformity a geological boundary where non-sedimentary rock is overlain by sedimentary rock
non-ferromagnesian mineral a silicate mineral that does not contain iron or magnesium (e.g., feldsspar)
non-metallic lustre the lustre of a mineral into which light does penetrate, or which does not produce a bright reflection
normal fault a non-vertical fault along which the hanging wall (upper surface) has moved down relative to the footwall
normal force the component of the gravitational force that acts directly into the slope
North Atlantic Deep Water deep Atlantic Ocean water that has descended in the far north of the basin in the area between Scandinavia and Greenland
nunatuk a rocky peak that extends above the ice level of a continental glacier
O
obliquity (Milankovitch cycles) the angle of the tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the sun
ocean plain the extremely flat surface of the deep ocean floor in areas unaffected by plate tectonic processes and volcanism
oil window the depth range, which is approximately 2000 to 4000 m, within which the temperature is appropriate for the formation of oil from organic matter in sedimentary rock
ooid a small (approximately 1 mm) sphere of calcite formed in areas of tropical shallow marine water with strong currents
olivine a silicate mineral made up of isolated silica tetrahedra and with either iron or magnesium (or both) as the cations
Oort cloud a spherical cloud of icy objects extending from between about 5,000 and 500,000 astronomical units (Sun-Earth distances) from the Sun (thought to be a source area of comets)
open-pit mine a mine that is open to the surface
organic sedimentary rock a sedimentary rock consisting of materials made of carbon-hydrogen bonds (e.g., animal and plant material)
outcrop a surface exposure of rock that is part of the crust (bedrock)
outwash plain an extensive region of sand and gravel deposited by streams flowing out of a glacier (same as sandur)
overturned a geological feature that has been tilted to the point where it is upside down
oxbow a part of a stream meander that has become isolated from the rest of the stream as the result of a meander cutoff
oxidation the reaction between a mineral and oxygen
oxide a mineral in which the anion is oxygen (e.g., hematite Fe2O3)
P
pahoehoe a lava flow with a ropy surface texture formed when the surface cools and hardens while the lava beneath is still flowing
paleomagnetic characterized by past variations in the intensity and polarity of the Earth’s magnetic field
Pangea che supercontinent that existed between approximately 300 and 180 Ma
paraconformity an interruption representing a period of non-deposition, without tilting or erosion, in a sequence of sedimentary rocks
parasitic fold a fold within a fold
parent rock (also, parent material, protolith) the rock that was already in existence when a process of metamorphism started, or the rock from which sediments were derived
partial melting the process during which a only specific mineral components of a rock melt
parting a narrow gap between individual sedimentary layers
passive margin a boundary between a continent and an ocean at which there is no tectonic activity (e.g., the eastern edge of North America)
paternoster lake one of a series of rock basin lakes
peat a product of the first stage of coal formation, where vegetative material undergoes limited decomposition in a low-oxygen, acidic environment
pebble a sedimentary particle ranging in size from 2 to 64 mm (includes granule)
pelagic the part of a lake or the ocean that is not close to shore
permafrost ground that remains frozen for two or more years
permanentism the now discredited theory that the features on the Earth have not changed significantly over geological time
permeability an expression of the ease with which liquid will flow through a porous medium
phaneritic a rock texture in which the individual crystals or grains are visible to the naked eye
Phanerozoic the most resent eon of geological time, encompassing the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras
phenocryst a relatively large crystal within an igneous rock
phyllosilicate a silicate mineral in which the silica tetrahedra are made up of sheets
phosphate a mineral in which the anion is PO43-photic zone the upper 200 m of the ocean or a lake, where, depending on the turbidity of the water, light can penetrate
phreatic eruption a steam-drive volcanic eruption that takes place when surface or near-surface water is heated by volcanic activity
phyllite a metamorphic rock with slaty cleavage and a sheen on the surface produced by aligned micas
physical weathering (also, mechanical weathering) weathering that occurs when physical processes cause a rock to break into smaller pieces without changing the chemical composition
pillow a pillow-shaped mass of volcanic rock (typically basalt) formed when magma erupts beneath the surface
pillow lava a volcanic rock (typically basalt) that is made up primarily of pillows
pipe a cylindrical body of igneous rock. May feed a volcano or connect plutons
Plate. A fragment of Earth’s surface consisting of lithosphere (crust and uppermost mantle).
Plate tectonics. The concept that the Earth’s crust and upper-most mantle (lithosphere) is divided into a number of plates that move independently on the surface and interact with each other at their boundaries
Plinian eruption a large volcanic eruption in which a column of hot tephra and gases rises many kilometres into the atmosphere
pluton a body of igneous rock formed by cooling within the Earth (i.e., a body of intrusive igneous rock)
podzol a soil with well-developed horizons formed in temperate forested regions
podzolization the process of the formation of podsol
polar wandering path see: apparent polar wandering path
polymerize the formation of molecular chains within a fluid (e.g., a magma) that lead to an increase in the fluid’s viscosity
polymorphs two or more minerals with the same chemical formula but different crystal structures
porosity the percentage of open pore space within a body of rock or sediment
porphyritic an igneous texture in which some of the crystals are distinctively larger than the rest
porphyry deposit a mineral deposit (of copper or molybdenum especially) in which part of the host rock is a porphyritic stock
positive feedback a process that results in an increase in that process (in the context of climate change it is a process that enhances the change in climate, such as the reduced reflectivity of the Earth’s surface when ice melts)
potassium feldspar feldspar with the formula KAlSi3O8, and which is a common constituent of felsic igneous rocks
potentiometric surface the imaginary surface defined by the levels to which water would rise in a series of wells drilled into a confined aquifer
precession (Milankovitch cycles) the variation in the direction at which the Earth’s rotational axis is pointing
pressure-release cracking cracking of a rock which occurs when overlying rocks are removed by erosion and the outer layer of the rock expands
principle of cross-cutting relationships the principle that a body of rock that cuts across or through another body of rock is younger than that other body
principle of faunal succession the principle that life on Earth has evolved in an orderly way, and that we can expect to always find fossils of a specific type in rocks of a specific age
principle of inclusions the principle that inclusions within a body of rock must be older than the rock
principle of original horizontality the principle that sedimentary beds are originally deposited in horizontal layers
principle of superposition the principle that in a sequence of layered rocks that is not overturned or interrupted by faulting, the oldest will be at the bottom and the youngest at the top
proglacial referring to the area in front of a glacier
protolith (also, parent rock) the rock which was altered to produce a metamorphic rock
proton a sub-atomic particle with a mass of 1 and a charge of 1
protoplanetary disk a rotating cloud of gas and dust surrounding a young star
pumice a highly vesicular (filled with holes left by gas bubbles) felsic volcanic rock (typically composed mostly of glass)
p-wave a seismic body wave that is characterized by deformation of the rock in the same direction that the wave is propagating (compressional vibration)
pyroclastic volcanic material formed during an explosive eruption
pyroclastic density current a body of hot pyroclastic rock and gases that is flowing rapidly down the flank of a volcano
pyroxene a single chain silicate mineral
Q
quartz a silicate mineral with the formula SiO2quartz sandstone (also, quartz arenite) a sandstone in which more than 90% of the grains are quartz
quartzite a non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from the contact or regional metamorphism of sandstone
R
radial (drainage) a pattern of streams radiating out from a central point, typically an isolated mountain
radioactivity the natural transformation of unstable isotopes into new elements
radiolaria microscopic (0.1 to 0.2 mm) marine protozoa that produce silica shells
Rayleigh wave a surface seismic wave, with vertical motion
recharge the transfer of surface water into the ground to become groundwater
recharge area an area of an aquifer where recharge is predominant over discharge
recrystallization during metamorphism, mineral crystals dissolving and reforming as larger crystals
rectangular drainage a pattern in which tributaries typically flow at right angles to each other and meet at right angles
recumbent fold a fold that is overturned such that its limbs are close to horizontal
redshift the increase in wavelength of light resulting from the fact that the source of the light is moving away from the observer
reef a mound of carbonate formed in shallow tropical marine environments by corals, algae and a wide range of other organisms
regional metamorphism metamorphism caused by burial of the parent rock to depths greater than 5 km (typically takes place beneath mountain ranges, and extends over areas of hundreds of km2)
remnant magnetism magnetism of a body of rock that formed at the time the rock formed and is consistent with the magnetic field orientation that existed at that time and place (see also paleomagnetism)
reservoir rock rock into which petroleum has migrated and is now trapped
residual soil soil formed by weathering of the underlying rock or sediment
retrograde metamorphism metamorphism that transforms a higher grade metamorphic rock into a lower grade metamorphic rock
reverse fault a non-vertical fault along which the hanging wall (upper surface) has moved up relative to the footwall
rhyolite a felsic volcanic rock
ridge push the concept that at least part of the mechanism of plate motion is the push of oceanic lithosphere down from a ridge area
rip current a strong flow of water outward from a beach
ripple a series of small parallel ridges formed within sediment that has accumulated in moving water or wind
rip-rap angular rock fragments, typically boulder sized, used to armour slopes and shorelines against erosion
roche moutonée a product of glaciation in which a bedrock protrusion is eroded into a streamlined shape that has a broken or jagged leading (down-ice) edge
rock avalanche a rapid turbulent flow of broken bedrock fragments down a steep slope
rock basin lake a lake situated in a rock basin carved at the upper end of an alpine glacier
rock cleavage the tendency of a rock to break along planes defined by foliation
rock cycle the series of processes through which rocks are transformed from one type to another
rock fall the near-vertical fall or bouncing of rock released from a steep slope
rock slide the translational motion of an essentially intact body of rock down a slope (rock slides are typically slow, because once they start to move fast the rock body becomes fragmented and then flows as a rock avalanche)
root wedging a physical weathering process in which roots grow into cracks in rocks and force them open
rounding describes the extent to which clasts have had their edges and corners smoothed off
runoff flow of water down a slope, either across the ground surface, or within a series of channels
rupture breaking of rock subject to stress, typically resulting in an earthquake
rupture surface the area over which rock rupture takes place during an earthquake
S
sackung an escarpment or trough at the top of a slow-moving rock slide (sackungen)
saltation the bouncing of particles along a stream bottom or desert floor
salt wedging a physical weathering process in which water with dissolved salt flows into a crack, and as the water evaporates, salt crystals grow and push the crack open
sand a mineral or rock fragment ranging in size from 1/16th to 2 mm
sandstone a rock that is primarily comprised of sand-sized particles
sandur an extensive region of sand and gravel deposited by streams flowing out of a glacier (same as outwash plain)
saturated zone the part of an aquifer, or any body of rock, that is saturated with water
schist a foliated metamorphic rock with crystals large enough to be visible to the unaided eye
Scientific method. A way to collect scientific facts in as reliable a way as possible. A hypothesis is formulated and tested. Whether the hypothesis passes or fails the test will determine whether it is kept or discarded.
sea cave a shallow cave formed on a rocky shore by wave erosion
sea cliff a coastal escarpment that is typically eroding inland as a result of wave action
sea-floor spreading the formation of new oceanic crust by volcanism at a divergent plate boundary
sector collapse the sudden collapse of a significant part of the flank of a volcano
sedimentary rock rock that has formed by the lithification of sediments or by the precipitation of ions from water
sediments unconsolidated (loose) particles of mineral or rock
seismic pertaining to earthquakes
seismic moment a measurement of an earthquake’s energy based on longwave vibrations, or on the product of the fault area and displacement
seismic reflection sounding measurement of the properties of sediments based on detection of sounds generated at surface and reflected from layers beneath the surface
septae calcareous partitions between the successive living chambers in a cephalopod
septic system a system constructed to facilitate the dispersion and detoxification of sewage (typically includes a septic tank and a drainage field)
shaft a vertical opening at a mine
shale a silt- and clay-rich rock that has evidence of layering
shatter cone conical nested fractures that result from extraterrestrial impacts. Cones point toward the impact.
shear force the component of the gravitational force in the direction parallel to a slope
shear strength the strength of a body of rock or sediment that counteracts the shear force
shear stress the stress placed on a body of rock or sediment adjacent to a fault
sheeted dikes a series of near-vertical dykes formed in the vicinity of a spreading ridge when magma from depth flows into fractures formed by extensional forces
sheet silicate a silicate mineral in which the silica tetrahedra are combined within sheets
sheetwash overland flow of water, typically related to a heavy precipitation event
shield a region of ancient (typically Precambrian) crystalline rock (equivalent to a craton)
shield volcano a low-profile volcano formed primarily from eruptions of low-viscosity mafic magma
shocked quartz quartz crystals in which the structure has been deformed by sudden, intense pressure. Deformation is visible as parallel lines within the crystal. with damage along parallel plains
Sial (sialic) an outdated term referring to rock or magma in which silica and aluminum are the predominant components (generally equivalent to felsic)
silica a form of the mineral quartz (SiO2)
silica tetrahedron an ion which is a combination of 1 silicon atom and 4 oxygen atoms that form a tetrahedron shape (SiO44-)
silicate a mineral that includes silica tetrahedra
silicon the 14th element
silicone resin or caulking made from silicon-oxygen chains and various organic molecules
sill a tabular igneous intrusion (pluton) that is parallel to existing layering in the country rock
silt sedimentary particles ranging is size from 1/256th to 1/16th of a mm
siltstone a clastic sedimentary rocks consisting predominately of silt-sized particles
Sima (simatic) an outdated term referring to rock or magma in which silica, magnesium and iron are the predominant components (generally equivalent to mafic)
skarn the contact metamorphism (and metasomatism) of limestone
slab pull the concept that at least part of the mechanism of plate motion is the pull of oceanic lithosphere down into the mantle
slate a fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits easily into sheets
slaty cleavage the tendency for slate or phyllite to split into sheets (note that this is the only situation in this textbook where the term “cleavage” is applied to a rock as opposed to a mineral)
slide the downward movement of rock or sediment on a slope as an intact mass
slump a slide in which the nature of the motion is rotational (typically only develops in unconsolidated sediments)
smectite a fine-grained sheet silicate mineral that can accept water molecules into interlayer spaces, resulting is swelling
smelter a refinery at which minerals are processed to produce pure metals
snow line (frost line) in the context of newly forming planetary systems, the distance beyond a star at which volatile components (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia etc.) are frozen
soil horizon a layer, within a well-developed soil, that is physically or chemically different from layers above or below
solar system a star and the planets surrounding it. Sometimes used specifically for the sun and its planets, and planetary system used for other stars
solar wind a stream of ionized (charged) particles away from the sun
solid solution the substitution of one element for another in a mineral (e.g., in Bowen’s reaction series there exists a continuum of plagioclase feldspar where calcium becomes progressively less common, and sodium more so)
solifluction the flow of water saturated sediment or soil over a stronger and less permeable substrate
sorting the extent to which the grain size within a sample of sediment is similar. Well-sorted sediments have very similar grain sizes, and poorly-sorted sediments have a variety of grain sizes.
source rock the sedimentary rock from which petroleum originates prior to its migration into a reservoir rock
speleothem a cave structure formed when calcium carbonate precipitates (see also stalactite, stalagmite)
sphericity the extent to which a grain is the same diameter in all dimensions (e.g., more like a sphere, but without implying roundness or smoothness)
spit a sand or coarser deposit extending from shore out into open water
spring a flow of groundwater onto the surface
stack a prominent rocky island that is a remnant of the erosion of a headland
stage the level of water in a stream
stalactite a cone-shaped speleothem that is suspended from the roof of a cave
stalagmite a cone-shaped speleothem that forms on the floor of a cave
step-pool a characteristic of stream flow in which water flows from one pool to another, typically on a stream with a steep gradient
stock an irregular pluton with n exposed area less than 100 km2stoping the fracturing and incorporation of fragments of country rock as a magma body moves upward through the crust
strain the deformation of rock that is subjected to stress
streak the mark left on a porcelain plate when a mineral sample is ground to a powder by being rubbed across the plate (typically provides a more reliable depiction of the colour than the whole sample)
stream any body of flowing water
stress a force applied to a rock (specifically, the force per unit area)
stress transfer the change in the pattern of stress on a region of rock as a result of an earthquake (typically stress is reduced in the area of a rupture zone, but is increased elsewhere in the vicinity)
strike the compass direction of a horizontal line on a sloped surface (e.g., bedding plane, fracture etc.)
strike-slip fault a fault that is characterized by motion that is close to horizontal and parallel to the strike direction of the fault
subaerial eruption a volcanic eruption that takes place on land
subaqueous eruption a volcanic eruption that takes place under water
subducted when part of a plate is forced beneath another plate along a subduction zone
subduction zone the sloping region along which a tectonic plate descends into the mantle beneath another plate
subglacial beneath a glacier
sulphate a mineral in which the anion is SO42-sulphide a mineral in which the anion is S2-supergroup a stratigraphically continuous series of related groups
superterrane a number of terranes that are contiguous
supraglacial on the surface of a glacier
surf zone the near-shore zone where waves are breaking into surf
suture the line on the surface of a cephalopod that marks the boundary between a septum and the outer shell
swash the upward motion of a wave on a beach (typically takes place at the same angle that the waves are approaching the shore)
s-wave a seismic body wave that is characterized by deformation of the rock transverse to the direction that the wave is propagating
symmetrical a fold in which the limbs are at the same angle to the hinge
syncline a downward fold where the beds are known not to be overturned
synform a downward fold where it is not known if the beds are overturned
T
tabular referring to a structure that is sheet-like (or like a table top). See also dike, sill
tailings the fine-grained waste rock from a plant used to concentrate ore minerals
talus slope a sloped deposit of angular rock fragments at the base of a rocky escarpment
tarn a lake within a rock basin
tectonic plate a fragment of the lithosphere that moves across the surface of the Earth as a single unit
tectonic sea level change relative sea level change related to the vertical motion of a crustal block caused by tectonic processes
tephra fragments of volcanic rock (including volcanic ash) ejected during an explosive eruption
terminal moraine and end moraine that marks the farthest forward advance of a glacier
terrane a block of crust that has geological features which are distinctive from neighbouring regions, and is assumed to have been moved from elsewhere by tectonic processes
terrestrial planet a planet with a rocky mantle and crust, and metallic core (e.g., Earth)
terrigenous referring to sedimentary particles that originated on a continent
test the shell-like hard parts (either silica or carbonate) of small organisms such as radiolarian and foraminifera
Theory. A hypothesis that has passed repeated and rigorous testing.
thrust fault a low angle reverse fault
till unsorted sediment transported and deposited by glacial ice
tiltmeter a sensitive instrument used to monitor subtle changes in the tilt of the land, particularly in studies of active volcanoes
tombolo a sand or coarser deposit connecting an island or rocky prominence to a larger body of land
traction a force that contributes to the movement of particles situated on a stream bed or desert floor
transform fault a boundary between two plates that are moving horizontally with respect to each other
transportation refers to moving sediments from one location to another
transported soils soils which form on sediments that have been moved from their original location. The soils themselves have not been transported.
travertine a deposit of calcium carbonate that forms at springs, hot springs or within limestone caves
trellis a drainage pattern in which tributaries typically flow parallel to one other but meet at right angles
trigger an event, such as an earthquake or a heavy rainfall, that starts a mass wasting event
trough the lowest point of a wave
truncated spur the steep end of a ridge or arête that has been eroded by a main-valley glacier
tsunami a long-wavelength wave produced by the vertical motion of the floor of the ocean or a large lake, typically related either to an earthquake or a sub-marine mass wasting event
tufa a form of travertine that is especially porous as it forms around existing vegetative material.
tuya a flat-topped volcanic hill or mountain that formed when an eruption took place beneath a glacier and the melting led to the formation of a lake that then resulted in the wave-erosion of the top of the volcano
U
unconfined aquifer an aquifer that is not overlain by a confining layer
unconformity a geological boundary at the base of a sedimentary layer
unconformity-type uranium deposit a uranium deposit that has formed at a nonconformity between sandstone and older rock
uncompressed density the density of planetary material that it would have it was not compressed by the planets gravitational force
underground storage tank (UST) an underground tank for storing liquids, most commonly for liquid fuel
Uniformitarianism. The idea that geological processes today can be used to understand geological processes in the past.
unsaturated zone the rock or sediment above the water table
U-shaped valley a relatively straight valley with a flat bottom and steep sides that has been carved by a valley glacier
V
valley glacier a glacier formed in a mountainous region and confined to a valley (same as alpine glacier)
varve a recognizable layer within sediments that represents a single year of deposition
vesicular an igneous texture characterized by holes left by gas bubbles
volcanic glass lava that has cooled within minutes, not allowing time for the formation of crystals
volcanic-hosted massive sulphide a mineral deposit hosted by volcanic rocks and including zones where most of the rock is made up of sulphide minerals (including ore minerals and pyrite)
W
wacke a sandstone with more than 15% clay and silt
water table the upper surface of the saturated zone in an unconfined aquifer
wave base the depth of water that is affected by the sub-surface orbital motion of wave action (approximately one-half of the wavelength)
wave-cut platform a nearly-horizontal bench of rock eroded by waves within the surf zone (equivalent to wave-cut terrace)
wavelength the distance between the crests of two waves
weathering a range of processes taking place in the surface environment, through which solid rock is transformed into sediment and ions in solution
wedging physical (mechanical) weathering processes which involve forcing open cracks in a rock (see also frost wedging, root wedging, salt wedging)
Western Canada Sedimentary Basin a large basin in the western interior of Canada, east of the Rocky Mountains, extending from the northern United States to the Northwest Territories
Wisconsin Glaciation the most recent advance of the Pleistocene glaciations, extending from 85 to 11 ka
X
xenolith (zee-know-lith) A fragment of country rock incorporated into igneous rock, commonly as a result of stoping
Y
youthful stream a stream that is actively down-cutting its valley in an area that has recently been uplifted
Z
zone of ablation the part of a glacier, below the equilibrium line, where there is net loss of ice mass due to melting and calving
zone of accumulation the part of a glacier, above the equilibrium line, where there is net gain of ice mass because not all of the snow that falls each winter is able to melt during the following summer
