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Definition
| the changing and transformation of the rock as it undergoes weathering, heat, and pressure |
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| rock formed when layers of sediment and organisms harden |
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| rock formed as magma and lava harden |
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| rock formed deep below the earth's crust by heat and pressure |
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| the process of breaking down rocks |
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| the process of breaking down rock into smaller and smaller pieces |
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| the process of decomposing rocks into new substances |
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| mechanical weathering in which water freezes and expands in cracks of rocks forcing the rocks apart like a wedge |
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| mechanical weathering in which water freezes and expands under a rock, pushing the rock farther out of the ground |
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| a type of mechanical weathering that occurs when rocks shift and reduce ressure, allowing rocks to rapidly expand and creating cracks and breaks in the rock |
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| a process of mechanical weathering in which sheets of rock peel away like layers of an onion; a result of pressure release |
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| a type of mechanical weathering that occurs when rocks rub against each other |
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| when soft rocks wear away faster than hard rock this unusual rock formation where the rock on top of the hoodo is harder than the rock on the botton. the rock below abrades much faster, leaving a vertical supporting column |
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| type of chemical weathering where oxygen in the air combines with iron and iron oxide (rust) forms |
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| a weak acid formed from water and carbon dioxide |
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| rain containing sulfuric acid, carbonic acid and other chemicals |
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| result of mechanical weathering (waves, wind and running water) and chemical weathering |
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| beautiful formations in caverns; form as the dissolved calcite is deposited out of the water; examples are stalactites and stalagmites |
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| hang from the ceiling of a cavern and look like stone icicles |
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| grow upwards from the floor of the cavern |
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| people who enjoy exploring caves |
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| forms when a stalactite and a stalagmite grow together |
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| forms when water seeps in along a crack and hardens, leaving calcite behind in a long, delicate curtain like sheet |
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| the loose material at the surface of the earth |
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| decayed organic material found in soil |
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| a scientist who studies soil |
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Definition
| the largest particle of the soil; it does not retain water in the soil |
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| the largest particle of the soil; it does not retain water in the soil |
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| the smallest particle of soil; holds nutrients and water but does not have room for air |
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| a tiny particle of soil that allows water and air to mix in the soil |
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| how much of each kind of particle is in the soil sample |
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| all three kinds of particles are equally evident in the soil |
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| the multiple layers of soil |
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| bedrock (R horizon) (regolith) |
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| the layer underneath the soil that consists of unweathered rock |
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| the layer of soil above bedrock; consists mainly of larger weathered fragments of the bedrock; contains clay and sand particles but very little organic material; very rich in minerals |
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| contains a few nutrients from the humus that have washed down through the upper layers of soil; consists mostly of weathered minerals from the bedrock |
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| the layer of soil in which most plants germinate and where roots grow |
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| leaf litter and humus compose the top layer of soil |
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