Vocabulary for Describing Meteorology and Climate Science with definitions
- Aquifer: A permeable layer of rock, sand, or gravel that can store and transmit water.
- Bedrock: The solid rock layer that underlies soil and other loose material.
- Fault: A crack in the Earth’s crust along which rocks have shifted.
- Geyser: A hot spring that periodically shoots water and steam into the air.
- Glacier: A slow-moving river of ice that originates on land and moves downhill.
- Igneous Rock: A type of rock formed from solidified lava or magma.
- Limestone: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, often used as a building material.
- Magma: Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Mineral: A naturally occurring inorganic substance with a defined chemical composition and crystal structure.
- Sedimentary Rock: A type of rock formed from accumulated layers of sediment, such as sand or mud.
- Seismology: The study of earthquakes and seismic waves.
- Topography: The study of the shape and features of the Earth’s surface.
- Tectonic Plate: A large, movable slab of solid rock that makes up the Earth’s crust.
- Volcanology: The study of volcanoes and volcanic processes.
- Stratum: A layer of rock or soil with distinct characteristics.
- Subduction Zone: An area where two tectonic plates meet and one plate is forced beneath the other.
- Fissure: A crack or split in rock or the Earth’s surface.
- Geothermal Energy: Energy derived from heat stored in the Earth.
- Hydrogeology: The study of water in relation to the Earth’s surface.
- Metamorphic Rock: A type of rock formed from the alteration of existing rock under high pressure and temperature.
- Ore: A naturally occurring mineral or rock containing a valuable substance that can be mined and processed for commercial use.
- Plateau: A large, flat area of elevated land, often surrounded by steep cliffs.
- Reservoir: A man-made or natural lake or pond used for storing water.
- Seismic Wave: A type of wave generated by an earthquake or other underground disturbance.
- Strata: The layers of rock or sediment that make up the Earth’s surface.
- Terrain: The physical features of a particular area of land.
- Underground Water: Water stored beneath the Earth’s surface, in aquifers and other underground reservoirs.
- Volcano: A vent in the Earth’s surface through which magma, ash, and gas can escape.
- Seabed: The ocean floor.
- Geomorphology: The study of the Earth’s surface features and the processes that shape them.
- Geologic Time Scale: A system for dividing the Earth’s history into different time periods based on the rock formations and fossils found in each.
- Igneous Rock: A type of rock formed from the solidification of molten rock or magma.
- Limestone: A type of sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate.
- Sandstone: A type of sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized grains of minerals.
- Shale: A type of sedimentary rock formed from compacted mud or clay.
- Siltstone: A type of sedimentary rock composed mainly of silt-sized grains of minerals.
- Glaciology: The study of glaciers and ice sheets.
- Hydrology: The study of water in relation to the Earth, including its distribution, circulation, and quality.
- Lithosphere: The solid, outer layer of the Earth, including the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
- Seismic Survey: A method for mapping the subsurface structure of the Earth by measuring seismic waves.
- Plate Tectonics: The theory that the Earth’s crust is divided into large plates that move and interact with each other.
- Volcanology: The study of volcanoes and volcanic activity.
- Magma: Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface.
- Lava: Molten rock that flows on the Earth’s surface.
- Geyser: A type of hot spring that periodically erupts hot water and steam.
- Geothermal Energy: Energy obtained from the heat of the Earth.
- Seismology: The study of earthquakes and seismic waves.
- Seismic Wave: A type of wave that travels through the Earth’s interior and is generated by an earthquake.
- Earthquake: A sudden, violent shaking of the Earth’s surface caused by the release of energy stored in the Earth’s crust.
- Tsunami: A large ocean wave that is generated by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption.
- Mineral: A naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystalline structure and a defined chemical composition.
- Ore: A rock or mineral deposit that contains valuable metals or minerals that can be extracted and processed.
- Fossil: The remains or traces of ancient plants or animals that have been preserved in rock or sediment.
- Sedimentary Rock: Rock formed from the accumulation and solidification of sediment, such as sand, mud, or pebbles.
- Metamorphic Rock: Rock that has been changed by heat, pressure, or chemical action from its original form.
- Igneous Rock: Rock formed from the solidification of magma or lava.
- Strata: Layers of rock or sediment that have been deposited over time.
- Erosion: The process by which wind, water, or ice wear away or remove rock or soil.
- Deposition: The laying down or settling of sediment or other material.
- Topography: The surface features of a piece of land, including its relief, contours, and elevations.
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