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Geology 101
Chaps 1-6; part of 7
30
Geology
Undergraduate 1
09/12/2011

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Term
Scientific Method (assumption)
Definition
the scientific method assumes that the world works in an orderly fashion, and that natural phenomena will recur given the same set of conditions.
Term
Catastrophism
Definition
Cuvier; the world formed from the occurrence of sporadic, catastrophic events
Term
hypothesis
Definition
an explanation offered for a set of observations
Term
theory
Definition
when a hypothesis passes many tests it is called a _____.
Term
scientific model
Definition
a theory for which there seems to be no reason to challenge; explains some aspect of nature based on hypothesis and theories
Term
geologic record
Definition
information preserved in rocks; ex: grand canyon (slow) and Meteorite Crater in Arizona (rapid)
Term
Earth's system
Definition
all parts of Earth and the interactions of the parts (Climate system, Geodynamo System, Plate Tectonics System)
Term
Climate System
Definition
involves interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and cryosphere
Term
plate tectonic system
Definition
involves interactions between the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and deep mantle
Term
geodynamo system
Definition
involves interactions between the inner and outer cores; rapid motion of the liquid outer core stirs up electric current in the inner core that causes the Earth's magnetic field
Term
plate tectonics
Definition
describes the movement of plates and the forces acting between them
Term
continental drift
Definition
first proposed by Wegener based upon drifting sheets of ice; continents are drifting; disproved by the fact that they can fit together
Term
lithosphere
Definition
the outer, rigid shell of the earth; plates are composed of this material.
Term
asthenosphere
Definition
part of the mantle beneath the lithosphere, hotter and weaker; lithosphere rides on top of the asthenosphere
Term
intrusive rocks
Definition
type of igneous rock formed when magma cools inside the earth's crust/beneath the surface
Term
extrusive rocks
Definition
type of igneous rock that forms when lava cools above earth's crust/on the surface of the earth
Term
texture
Definition
size, shape, and spatial arrangement of mineral grains
Term
mineralogy
Definition
different minerals that make up a rock
Term
magma chamber
Definition
blob of magma that pushes aside crustal rocks as it rises through the crust; pools beneath of surface of the crust
Term
magmatic differentiation
Definition
when different rocks form from a uniform parent magma
Term
fractional crystallization
Definition
process by which crystals forming in a cooling magma are separated from the remaining magma
Term
metamorphic rock
Definition
rock that has undergone change in texture, mineralogy, &/or change in chemical composition due to metamorphism
Term
confining pressure
Definition
pressure that comes from activities such as burial, collision, and compaction
Term
confining pressure
Definition
pressure that comes from activities such as burial, collision, and compaction
Term
differential pressure (directed stress)
Definition
stress that causes a preferred orientation of minerals
Term
geothermal gradient
Definition
change of mineralogy with depth (30 C/km)
Term
heat
Definition
affects the texture and mineralogy of rocks
Term
prograde
Definition
mineral changes that occur due to increase in temp
Term
retrograde
Definition
mineral changes that occur due to decrease in temperature
Term
metasomatism
Definition
change in a rocks composition due to fluid transport of chemical substances in or out of a rock
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