Midterm Leaks Flashcards
What type of metamorphism involves no change in temperature or pressure but only shearing
forces?
DYNAMIC
What term describes the degree to which a clast resembles a sphere?
SPHERICITY
What is the mineralogical term for minerals that transform to another mineral with the same
composition but different crystal structure?
PHASE CHANGE
What type of metamorphic rock is characterized by alternating bands of dark and lightcolored
minerals?
GNEISS
What is the term for the Intensity of metamorphism classified based on temperature and
pressure conditions?
METAMORPHIC GRADE
What is the Latin word meaning “fire,” from which the term igneous is derived?
IGNIS
What aspect of igneous rocks is based on size, shape, arrangement, and degree of
crystallinity?
TEXTURE
What term is used for large igneous bodies located deep beneath the Earth’s surface?
PLUTONS
What is the term for a nearly vertical structure that cuts across pre-existing layering?
DIKE
What term describes a nearly horizontal structure Injected between pre- existing layering?
SILL
What is the name for a dome-shaped intrusion?
LACCOLITH
What process do sediments undergo to become sedimentary rocks?
COMPACTION AND CEMENTATION
What combination of processes breaks up and corrodes solid rock, transforming it into
sediments?
WEATHERING
What is the weathering type that breaks solid rocks Into grains or chunks of clasts?
PHYSICAL WEATHERING
What are rocks or sediments modified by physical and chemical interaction with organic
material and rainwater suitable for plant growth called?
SOIL
How would you classify a lenticular Intrusion with a depressed central region?
LOPOLITH
What is the term for angular clasts greater than 64 mm in size?
BLOCKS
How would you describe rounded clasts greater than 64 mm in size?
BOMBS
What term describes igneous rocks that are 2-64 mm in diameter?
LAPILLI
What happens to sediments when they are squeezed closer together?
COMPACTION
At what depth range would you typically find a batholith?
> 100 km²
What term describes a crystal form with complets crystal faces?
EUHEDRAL
What process involves sediments being subjected to increasingly high temperatures and
pressures and undergoing chemical changes over time?
BURIAL
In sedimentary rock classification, what type consists of carbon-rich relics of living
organisms such as plants formed by accumulation and lithification?
ORGANIC SEDIMENTARY
In sedimentary rock classification, what type consists of minerals formed by Inorganic
precipitation from water solutions?
CHEMICAL SEDIMENTARY
What term describes a crystal form with no observable crystal faces?
ANHEDRAL
It is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?
IGNEOUS ROCK
A mixture of molten and semi-molten rock formed beneath the surface of the Earth?
MAGMA
Classification of rock that is based on the size, shape, arrangement, and degree of
crystallinity.
TEXTURE
Another classification of rock that determines the percentage of dark-colored and
light-colored minerals?
COMPOSITION
Potassium feldspar, quartz & blotite, and muscovite are the minerals present in what type of
Igneous composition?
SILICIC
It is a fragment of rock erupted by a volcano.
PYROCLASTIC
What type of rock is Komatite?
EXTRUSIVE IGNEOUS ROCK
What is characterized by repetitive layering due to preferred mineral orientation?
FOLIATION
What process involves the transformation of existing rock into a rock with a different mineral
composition?
METAMORPHISM
What process occurs through compaction and cementation, resulting in the formation of
sedimentary rock?
DIAGENESIS
What is the force applied In a particular direction?
DIFFERENTIAL STRESS
What is the force applied equally in all directions?
CONFINING STRESS
What plays a critical role in determining which minerals occur within a metamorphic rock?
TEMPERATURE
What is the term for Igneous rocks that are <2 mm in diameter?
ASH
What term refers to glassy fragments in igneous rocks?
VITRIC
How are terms like ultramafic, mafic, and felsic classified?
BY COLOR
What is the force applied to a rock?
STRESS
What type of metamorphism occurs along convergent plate boundaries that have high
pressure?
REGIONAL/DYNAMOTHERMAL
What metamorphic process involves chemical and mineral composition alteration of rocks by
reactions with hydrothermal fluids?
METASOMATISM
What process refers to the formation of new metamorphic mineral crystals?
NEOCRYSTALLIZATION
What is a metamorphic process that involves a change in grain shape and size only?
RECRYSTALLIZATION
What are metamorphic rocks that lack foliation referred to as?
GRANOBLASTIC
What refers to the referred orientation of large mica-flakes within a metamorphic rock?
SCHISTOSITY
What plays a critical role in determining which mineral occurs within a metamorphic rock?
TEMPERATURE
What type of rock formed from the metamorphism of limestone?
MARBLE
What are unconsolidated deposits called?
SEDIMENTS
What process removes and transports soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on
the Earth’s crust?
EROSION
What process Involves minerals precipitating from groundwater at pores and binding
sediment together through cements?
CEMENTATION
What are relics of past life left on bedding surfaces called?
FOSSILS
What is the textural change to a pre-existing “parent rock” or protolith referred to as?
METAMORPHISM
What geological feature forms when mud dries up after deposition, resulting in polygonal
patterns on the surface?
MUD CRACKS
What is the increase in temperature with increasing depth in Earth’s interior called?
GEOTHERMAL GRADIENT
What term describes the distribution of grain size of sediments?
SORTING
What controls a rock’s porosity and permeability?
FABRIC
