Term 2 MTR Key Terms Flashcards
Geology
The study of the rocks beneath our feet.
Weathering
The process that takes place as rocks, or other parts of the geosphere, are broken down into smaller pieces.
Mechanical weathering
The process of breaking big rocks into little ones.
Chemical weathering
This involves changes that some substances can cause in the surface of the rock that makes it change shape or colour.
Erosion
This is the movement of weathered rocks by natural forces.
The rock cycle
How rocks are constantly being changed from on type to another. There are 3 types, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
Igneous rock
A type of rock formed on Earth’s surface (during volcanic eruptions) or deep underground by the cooling of molten (hot, liquid) rock e.g. granite.
Sedimentary rock
A type of rock formed by the deposition of sediment e.g. sandstone.
Metamorphic rock
A type of rock that has undergone change due to intense heat and/or pressure e.g. slate.
Biological weathering
When plants and nature affect rocks.
Relief
The shape of the land.
Contour
A line on a map that connects points of a land surface of the same height.
Layer colouring
Colours to show the height of something e.g. brown for higher land and green for low land.
Triangulation pillar
A dot inside a blue triangle.
Freeze-thaw weathering
Where water continually freezes in the cracks of rocks, making them bigger, and eventually breaks the rock apart.
