Gertrude Geology vocab

Question 1

Define

Geological era

Answer 1

The different periods of time, spanning over millions of years, which show where the different rock types of the UK’s geology are from.

Question 2

Define

Igneous Rock

Answer 2

Formed from magma/lava, either erupted from a volcano or cooled below ground in an intrusion. (latin: ignis = fire).

Question 3

Define

Metamorphic Rock

Answer 3

a rock which has re-crystallised due to heat and/or pressure. E.g. marble, slate

Question 4

Define

Sedimentary Rock

Answer 4

any rock made up of sediment grains + dead plant/animal remains that have built up may layers over many years e.g. mudstone, sandstone

Question 5

Define

Exe Tees Line

Answer 5

an imaginary line running from the River Exe in the SW to the River Tees in the NE showing the divide between the North and South of the UK in geology.

Question 6

Define

Biological Weathering

Answer 6

the breakdown of rock by the action of bacteria, plants and animals e.g. tree roots growing in a crack in a rock.

Question 7

Define

Chemical Weathering

Answer 7

breakdown of rock by chemical reaction with air, water and dissolved acids e.g. limestone dissolved by acid CO2 rain.

Question 8

Define

Physical Weathering

Answer 8

mechanical breakdown of rock material at the surface, e.g.by changes in temperature causing rainwater to freeze and expand, cracking rocks.

Question 9

Define

Scree

Answer 9

Rock fragments that cause the ground to have a rough landscape which have been created by weathering processes.

Question 10

Define

Human Activity

Answer 10

How humans over time (as far back as 2000 years ago) have had their actions determined by the resources available to them and the geology of the area.

Question 11

Define

Erosion

Answer 11

The process of wearing away rocks

Question 12

Define

Tectonic plates

Answer 12

Large slabs of Earth’s crust that move and interact with eachother

Question 13

Define

Fault

Answer 13

A crack in the Earth’s crust,where movement occurs

Question 14

Define

Magma

Answer 14

Molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface

Question 15

Define

Lava

Answer 15

Magma that has reached the Earth’s surface

Question 16

Define

Fossils

Answer 16

Preserved remains of animals/plants bodies/imprints

Question 17

Define

Subduction

Answer 17

How one plate is forced under the other

Question 18

Define

Minerals

Answer 18

Naturally occurring inorganic substances,each with unique composition

Question 19

Define

Starta

Answer 19

Refers to the layers of a sedimentary rocks