Term
|
Definition
Naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a repeating and defined crystalline structure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Low-grade regional metamorphism affecting sed. & volcanic rocks. 200-450c |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Outcrop pattern of a formation as it crosses a valley forms a V-shape. V points in the direction that underlies the valley. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A number representing the % by weight or volume of dark-colored minerals in a rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A fossil which identifies and dates strata in which it is found. Combines wide geographic range w/ narrow stratigraphic occurrance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Composed of >90% mafic minerals. Composed of primarily mafic minerals. Composed of primarily felsic minerals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A fossil group occurring in the same stratigraphic level. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Aquifer overlain by confining layer of low permeability. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Intrinsic permeability unit. 9.87e-9 cm^2 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Distance between two formerly adjacent points on either side of a fault, measured on the fault surface. |
|
|
Term
Hydraulic Conductivity (K) |
|
Definition
Capacity of a porous medium to transmit water. |
|
|
Term
Intrinsic Permeability (ki) |
|
Definition
Porous medium property which measures relative ease with which fluid can be transmitted through it under hydraulic gradient. Pore size dependent. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Global Positioning System Measures your location on the Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Downslope extension of the slide mass beyond the rupture plain. |
|
|
Term
Driving cause of eolian erosion. |
|
Definition
Airborne sand-particles (sandblasting)
Grain removal (deflation) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Large accumulation of ice/snow. Compaction and recrystallization of snow. Permanent alpine feature. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The inclination of a plane measured in a direction NOT perpendicular to strike. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A hinge line along which a vertical cross-section may be constructed then flattened out to a horizontal or map view. |
|
|
Term
Parallel Stream Formation |
|
Definition
Steep slopes with uniform gradient; generally found in newly uplifted terrains. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Bumpy irregular surface of mass wasting materials. Can contain transverse & radial cracks w/ transverse ridges. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Organic layer of soil with undecomposed plant material. Thick in humid regions while non-existant in arid regions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Coal classification based on purity. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Capacity of an aquifer to transmit water of the prevailing kinematic viscosity. T = K b |
|
|
Term
State Plane Coordinate System |
|
Definition
2D coordinate system developed by Natl. Geodetic Survey for use in states/countries. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The horizontal distance between a stratigraphic unit offset by a fault. It is an apparent displacement. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A low angle reverse fault (45deg). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
External, hard portion of invertebrate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Groundwater that flows beneath the bed or alluvial plain of a surface stream. Noteworthy in arid regions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
unit of pressure; approx. 1atm or 0.1MPa |
|
|
Term
Storativity or Storage Coefficient (S) |
|
Definition
Vol. of water that a permeable unit discharges or intakes per unit surface area of the aquifer per unit change in head. Unconfined aquifer: storage = specific yield |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Shallow hydrothermal system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A major downwarp of crust in which sediments accumulate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process that produces coal of an increasing rank. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Intergrowth of ≥2 crystals in a symmetrical manner. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A line described by its bearing and plunge. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mineral replacement process by hydrothermal fluids. New mineral w/ different composition grows inside older mineral. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mineral sequence of crystal growth during crystallization of magma. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Metamorphosed fine-grained sedimentary rock, i.e. mudstone or siltstone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Zone of illuviation. Rich in Fe & Al clay and organic compounds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Location where geologic feature (i.e. fossils) first located. Contains type section. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A general term for the vertical angle between horizontal and a plane or line, measured downward. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An ore deposit which originates later than the enclosing host rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Naturally occurring deposits in such amts. or concentrations to be minable now or in the future. Contains reserves. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The orientation in space. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
How close a measurement conforms with a standard or accepted value. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The degree of arrangement or consistency of repeated measurements. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Chemical variation within a crystal. Characteristic of feldspar. High temp. core, low temp. rim. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Geologic dating abbreviation, 1 billion years. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Zone of eluviation. Mixture of organics & mineral materials. Fe & Al clay and organic compounds have been leached out. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Substratum Little effect from soil-forming processes. In humid environs, thicker. In arid environs., thin & closer to surface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Introduction of, or replacement by, pyrite. Common hydrothermal alteration process. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Demarcation between in-situ groundmass and landslide mass. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A saturated geologic unit w/ sufficient permeability to transmit water to wells/springs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The vertical angle between a line and horizontal. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Pertaining to the action and mineral products of hot water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Angle between strike and apparent dip direction. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The angle measured in a specific plane, between a line and horizontal. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Inclination of the line of greatest slope of an inclined plane, measured perpendicular to strike. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The bearing of the vertical plane containing a line. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Bearing of a horizontal line in an inclined plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Representation of angular relationship between planes and lines. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Economically undesirable rock or mineral agg. in an orebody. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The area within which the potentiometric surface is lowered by withdrawl or raised by injection, of water through a well. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
descriptors of mineral grain size in volcanic rx. Fine grained, rapid cooling, extrusive. // Coarse grained, slow cooling, intrusive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Oceanic part of a geosyncline, characterized by volcanism associated with clastic sedimentation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Metamorphism associated with igneous intrusion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A mineral deposit confined to a single stratigraphic unit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Deposits that are economically available and may be extracted profitably. Subset of resources. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A specific type of stratabound deposit in which the ore constitutes a layer(s) in the rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A plant or animal that is attached and cannot move, i.e. barnacles. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The bearing of the vertical plane containing the apparent dip angle. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The horizontal angle between a line and specified coordinate direction, usually N or S. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Dip-slip fault in which hanging wall has dropped relative to the foot wall. δ = 45° - 90° |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
2D representation of flow lines and equipotentials. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The amount of precipitation appearing in surface waters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Water derived from magmatic sources; thought to be arriving at earths surface for the first time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Physical and/or chemical changes to sediments undergoing lithification and compaction. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Negatively charged ion // Positively charged ion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Characteristic of a mineral to exist in >1 crystalline structure form. (andalusite/kyanite/silliminite) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Group of minerals that compose a rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Zone of alteration in contact metamorphism. "Baked zone" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Surface within unconfined groundwater where hydraulic pressure = atmospheric pressure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Amount of soil moisture or water content held in the soil after excess water has drained away. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Minerals w/ SiO4 tetrahedra. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The originally described strata which constitute stratigraphic unit to which other units are compared. Greatest thickness w/ top and bottom exposed. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Elevation to which confined aquifer water will rise in a well. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Lowest part of the aeration zone above the water table holding some water in pore spaces. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stream pattern of lower gradient hillsides with gentle/moderate slopes, which are generally older and not recently uplifted. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stream pattern seen in jointed rock areas (i.e. Appalachia). Confluence ~90°. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Undisturbed in-place material above a landslide headscarpe. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A type of unconformity formed from an older igneous body in contact with younger sediments. Indicates missing time after igneous intrusion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Object mass per volume occupied. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Hydroaluminocilicate mineral group, analogous to feldspars. Na, Ca, K rich. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The origin location from which constituent minerals of a sedimentary rock or facies are derived. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A series of minerals w/ identical structure which contain ≥2 elements over a proportion range. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Widespread metamorphism w/ higher temperatures and pressures. 3-10MPa, 400-800°C |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A particular rock unit characterized by specific lithology and/or stratigraphic position. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Any change in mineral composition of a rock caused by physical or chemical means. Hydrothermal fluids. Milder and more localized than metamorphism. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stream pattern seen on stratocone volcanos w/ steep, uniform gradient. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The break in slope which marks uppermost portion of a landslide mass. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Intensity or rank of metamorphism measured by degree/difference between parent and daughter rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Rock unit formed during specific period of time. A reference point for other similar-aged rocks. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Mappable area of restricted park of a rock body with different fossils/lithology from other continuous beds deposited at the same time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The amount of horizontal displacement on a fault plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A set of metamorphic mineral assemblages which reached chemical equilibrium during metamorphism within a specific P/T condition set. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Unconfined groundwater separated from an underlying groundwater body by an unsaturated zone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A mineral deposit formed contemporaneously with, and by the same process as, the host rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The average quantity or % of ore mineral content in an ore body. |
|
|
Term
USA regions of Karst Topography |
|
Definition
Central FL SW MI W KY TN Atlantic Coastal Plain |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The width of an outcrop, as measured in map view, perpendicular to strike. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Global Information System; computer-based mapping and visualizing tool. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A general fault term in which movement is parallel to fault plane dip, i.e. normal, reverse, listric faulting. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A low-angle normal fault associated w/ regional extension, often w/ large displacements of strata. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ratio of the V.h2o a soil/rock can retain against gravity drainage to the V.total of the soil/rock, as a % |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Area where water infiltrates downward in to the saturated zone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Water trapped in the pores of sedimentary rock at time of deposition; "fossil water". |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A "window into rocks underlying a thrust fault. |
|
|
Term
Single Point Resistivity log |
|
Definition
A log measuring resistivity using two electrodes, having a limited area 5-10x electrode diameter. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Vertical slip plane of lateral movement; movement is parallel to fault strike. |
|
|
Term
Rock Quality Designation (RQD) |
|
Definition
A measure of intactness of a rock core, relating to % of intact core vs. total core. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Largest classification of petroleum resource; regional. >500M barrels recoverable or >3.5T ft^3 natural gas. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Coarse crystalline (phaneritic), which form in large igneous intrusions at depth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stream "movement" in low gradient floodplain area. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Dependent on slope, underlying geology, and presence of groundwater. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A surface which implies uplift and erosion of sediment; a "records gap" in geologic deposition. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ratio (%) of theoretical drawdown to actual drawdown measured in a well. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Igneous rock description feat. large grained minerals w/in a fine grained matrix. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ratio of V.h2o drained due to gravity to V.total of the soil/rock |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An Fe-bearing weathered product overlying a sulfide deposit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The process by which elements move away from an enriched ore zone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A thrust fault with no surficial exposure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Irregular surface w/ no predictable pattern. Typically seen in glacial/karst terrain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Thick-walled barrel sampler obtains disturbed soil samples (soft clay to sand); used in the Standard Penetration Test. |
|
|
Term
Intrusive Rx // Extrusive Rx |
|
Definition
Coarse grained, slow cooling of emplaced magma. // Fine grained, rapid cooling of erupted magma/lava. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Joints and faults in the subsurface influence stream pattern development heavily. Unjointed rock typically more resistant. Common in the Adirondack Mtns. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Chief method of deep borehole drilling. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An aquifer having a water table. |
|
|
Term
Spontaneous Potential (SP) Log |
|
Definition
Borehole log of naturally occurring potentials developed between the borehole fluid, formation water, and surrounding rock materials. |
|
|
Term
Standard Penetration Test (SPT) |
|
Definition
Test which measures resistance to penetration cone in to soils. Number of hammer blows to a 30" long split spoon correlates to soil characteristics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Device used to measure soil matrix potential. Used to help determine irrigation needs and plant water consumption. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Shallow (<20ft) method of excavating in-situ soils to determine characteristics of subsurface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Ease with which soil/rock can be mechanically excavated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Aquifer test made by adding or removing a small amount of water. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Thin-walled push tube sampler to obtain undisturbed samples of cohesive soils. |
|
|
Term
Eolian depositional features |
|
Definition
Ripples Sand Drift / Shadow Dunes Sand Levee |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Physical measurements of the width of the uncased borehole; helps to identify unconsolidated strata beds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Q = K i A The equation describing groundwater flow (gal per "time") |
|
|
Term
Eolian erosional features |
|
Definition
Yardang Ventifacts Pedestal Rock Blowout Desert Pavement |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Based on: Rock type & strength Joint & Fracture pattern Tidal Swing Continental Shelf extent/depth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Stalactite - grips the ceiling, point down // Stalagmite - points up from the floor |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Global Positioning System radio sensor that records exact position on Earth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A log which makes quantitive measurements of the specific resistance of a material to the flow of an electrical current. Used in conjunction w/ SP logs in boreholes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A test made by pumping a well for a specific period of time and observing change in hydraulic head of the aquifer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Lowest part of a mass wasting slide w/ arcuate shape after moving over original terrain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Radioactive log on natural radiation intensity of strata in a borehole after neutron bombardment. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Collection device for pore space groundwater. Used to determine soluble constituents. |
|
|
Term
Seismic Reflection survey |
|
Definition
Geophysical survey method of seismic wave travel times through various-densitied materials. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
American Society for Testing and Materials Intl. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Screw-like device used for shallow drilling practices (<200ft). Brings up disturbed soil cuttings. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The science of recording & analyzing measurements of physical downhole strata properties. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Groundwater potentiometric surface depression around an actively pumped well. Defined as the wells "area of influence". |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Pipe lowered and cemented in a borehole to prevent caving or fluid migration. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Light detection and radar. Remote sensing method to record topography changes. Unaffected by vegetation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Aquifer test used to determine permeability of isolated rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Most widespread mineral group of the Earths crust. Framework silicate group. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Perpendicular distance between top and bottom of a geologic unit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Replacement of CaCO3 to MgCO3 in limestone; changes limestone to dolomite. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A log that makes measurements of formations electrical resistivity sing 4 electrodes set up w/ 16-64" spacing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The angle between true North and magnetic North. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Fine-grained crystalline (aphanetic) or glassy in texture, occur from volcanic surface activity. Explosive or extruded as lava. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Lime-bearing siliceous rock produced by the metamorphic alteration of limestone or dolomite. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Line perpendicular to a plane; represented as a stereonet point. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Object used in a cone penetration test to measure soil insertion resistance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Silver, Gold, or metals of the Platinum Group Elements; economically significant. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Degree of progressive diagenesis of peat (coalification). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Vertical distance from groundsurface downward to a feature of interest. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A sheet of rock that has moved horizontal over neighboring strata as a result of an overthrust or folding |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
% of V.total of soil/rock that consists of interconnected pore space. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
In-site test to determine soil suitability for a leachfield. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Tool to measure groundwater pressure and elevation in a drilled monitor hole. |
|
|
Term
4 necessary conditions for karst terrain development |
|
Definition
1) Soluble rock @/near surface. 2) Dense jointed, thin bedded. 3) Entrenched valleys below uplands. 4) Moderate to abundant rainfall. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Property of porous soil/rock for transmitting a fluid. |
|
|
Term
Vadose zone or Zone of aeration |
|
Definition
Subsurface zone containing water under pressure < atmospheric pressure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Area where subsurface water is discharged to land. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Rate of change in total head per unit of distance of flow in a given direction. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Region drained by a stream or body of water, or a drainage divide. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Percentage of the bulk volume of soil/rock that is occupied by void space. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
unit of measurement of hydraulic conductivity (gal per day / ft^2). Flow Rate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Solid-state change in composition of a mineral via diffusion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Near-surface process of mineral deposition, in which metals are leached by acidic solutions, carried downwards and precipitated, enriching the sulfide minerals already present. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Measure of fluid potential energy, w/ respect to given datum. In practice, the elv. to which water raises as a result of reservoir pressure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An outlier of a thrust sheet completely surrounded by the exposed footwall. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Amount of vertical displacement on a fault plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Block which underlies a non-vertical fault plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Amount of water that an aquifer releases from storage, per unit mass or volume of aquifer, per unit change in hydraulic head, while remaining fully saturated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An overall analysis of metal in ore. Composition, purity, weight, and other properties of economic interest. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Graphic record of subsurface strata properties in a borehole as a function of depth. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1 million years abbreviation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Solution of old minerals w/ deposition of new minerals via interstital fluids.
Mineral replacement via hydrothermal fluids |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Fault block which overlies a non-vertical fault plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Syndepositional extensional faulting. Throw increases w/ depth. |
|
|
Term
Transgression // Regression |
|
Definition
Advance of sea on to land (ls-sh-ss sequence). // Withdrawl of sea from land (ss-sh-ls sequence) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A fault with a curved fault plane. Steeply dipping near surface, becoming flatter at depth. May be normal or reverse. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A well-defined, easily identifiable strata which is distinctive enough to be useful in correlation in mapping. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A fault in which movement is not parallel to the strike or dip of the fault plane. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Horizontal component of displacement measured perpendicular to the strike of the disrupted unit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The introduction of, or replacement by, silica. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Extraction of ore in an underground mine by working laterally in the plain of the vein. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Chemical product of exhalation; deposition formed by interaction of volcanic-derived water and sea water w/ adjacent rock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Inverse log function of the basic or acidic nature of a fluid. Hydrogen ion activity in a solution. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Relatively mobile element whose signature can be used to find a deposit of greater value/importance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Common and chemically active metal, which can oxidize or corrode easily. An industrial non-ferrous metal, i.e. Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Angle from the horizontal down to the slope. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A dip-slip fault in which the hanging wall has moved up relative to the footwall. Fault dip: 45° ≤ δ ≤ 90° |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Cone Penetration Test used to measure soil resistance to cone penetration. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Amount of water level drop due to well pumping. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Borehole transitional zone located at flushed and uninvaded zone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Remote sensing for ground deformation (i.e. subsidence). |
|
|
Term
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) |
|
Definition
Application of radar/radio waves to the subsurface. Good for ≤100ft depth. Low freq. = deeper Higher freq. = shallow |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A series of measurements made by a gravimeter @ different field locations to determine density distribution. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
American Petroleum Institute A gamma ray unit of measurement in gamma logs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Measure of natural strata radioactivity down borehole. Shale w/ high γ-value. |
|
|