Rocks Resources And Scenery - Definitions Flashcards
Sedimentary rocks?
Most commonly, rocks formed from the accumulation of sediment on the sea floor
Metamorphic rocks?
Rocks that have undergone a change in their chemistry and texture as a result of heating and or pressure
Igneous rocks?
Rocks formed from the cooling of molten magma
Crust?
The outer layer of the earth
Geographical timescale?
The period of geographical time since life became abundant 542 million years ago which geologists have divided into eras and periods
What is the rock cycle?
Connections between the three rock types shown in the form of a diagram
Weathering?
The breakup or decay of rocks in their original place at or close to the earths surface (insitu)
Mechanical weathering?
Weathering that does not involve chemical change
Scree?
Deposits of angular rock fragments found at the foot of rock outcrops
Chemical weathering?
Weathering that involves a chemical change taking place
Biological weathering?
Weathering caused by living organisms such as tree roots or burrowing animals
Freeze thaw weathering?
Weathering involving repeated cycles of freezing and thawing
Pores?
Holes in rock
Exfoliation?
Flaking of the outer surface of rocks mainly caused by repeated cycles of hot and cold
Solution?
Dissolving rocks or minerals by rainwater
Carbonation?
Weathering of limestone and chalk by acidic rainwater
Batholith?
A huge irregular shaped mass of intrusive igneous rock that only reaches the ground surface when the overlying rocks are removed
Joints?
Cracks that may run vertically or horizontally through rock
Impermeable rock?
A rock that does not allow water to pass through it
Tor?
An isolated outcrop of rock on a hill top, typically found in granite landscapes
Mass movement?
The downhill movement of material under the influence of gravity
Vale?
In the landscape, a flat plain typically formed on clay
Cliff?
A steep or vertical face of rock at the coast
Permeable rock?
A rock that allows water to pass through it
Vale?
In the landscape, a flat plain typically formed on clay
Spring?
Water re-emerging from the rock onto the ground surface
Escarpment?
An outcrop of chalk comprising a steep scarp and a more gentle dip slope
Dry valley?
A valley formed by a river during a wetter period in the past but now without a river
Limestone pavement?
A bare rock surface, with a distinctive blocks (clints) and enlarged joints (grikes)
Swallow hole?
An enlarged joint into which water falls
Cavern?
A large underground cave
Resurgence?
A stream that emerges from underground
Stalacite?
An icicle-like calcite feature hanging down from a cavern roof
Stalagmite?
A stumpy calcite feature formed on a cavern floor
Pillar?
A calcite feature stretching from a floor to ceiling in a cavern
Curtain?
A broad deposit of calcite usually formed when water emerges along a crack in a cavern
Aquifer?
An underground reservoir of water stored in pores and or joints in a rock eg chalk
Syncline?
The lower arc of the fold in fold mountains
Aggregate?
Crushed stones made from tough rocks such as limestone used in the construction industry and in road building
Quarry restoration?
Restoring or improving the environmental quality of a quarry, either during its operation or afterwards
Vale?
In the landscape, a flat plain typically formed on clay
Cliff?
A steep or vertical face of rock at the coast
Permeable rock?
A rock that allows water to pass through it
Vale?
In the landscape, a flat plain typically formed on clay