IELTS Académique (Band 6-7) - Geology

the outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of solid rock and divided into the continental crust and the oceanic crust

croûte, écorce terrestre

particles of solid material that settle at the bottom of a liquid

sédiment

the process by which soil and rock are gradually destroyed and removed by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice

érosion

(geology) a distinct layer of rock or sediment

strate, couche

the scientific study of minerals, their composition, properties, and classification, often involving the analysis of crystal structures and the identification of various mineral species

minéralogie

the branch of geology that focuses on the study of rocks, their classification, composition, origin, and the processes involved in their formation

pétrologie

the scientific study of landforms, their origin, development, and classification, often examining the processes that shape the Earth's surface, such as erosion, deposition, and tectonic activity

géomorphologie

a tapering, icicle-like mineral formation hanging from the roof of a cave or underground structure, typically composed of calcium carbonate deposited by dripping water containing dissolved minerals

stalactite

a cone-shaped mineral formation rising from the floor of a cave or underground structure, formed by the deposition of minerals from dripping water containing dissolved substances

stalagmite, cône minéral

a vast and longest subdivision of geological time

éon, ére

a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, comprising most of Earth's landmasses fused together before breaking apart into the continents we recognize today

pangée

an ancient supercontinent that included South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula

Gondwanaland, gondwana

a hypothetical ancient supercontinent that existed from the late Precambrian to the Jurassic period, comprising the landmasses of present-day North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Antarctica, before it began to break apart

Laurasie

the total amount of water on Earth, including oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor

hydrosphère, sphère hydrique

a principle in geology stating that in a sequence of undisturbed sedimentary rock layers, the youngest rocks are at the top, and the oldest rocks are at the bottom, helping determine the relative ages of geological formations

superposition

a visible exposure of rock or geological strata at the Earth's surface, often occurring on hillsides, cliffs, or other elevated areas, providing insight into the underlying geological structure

affleurement, exposition géologique

solid rock beneath surface materials, forming the Earth's crust foundation

roche de base, substratum

the region of the Earth's interior, lying beneath the crust and extending to the outer core, composed of solid rock that can deform and flow over geological time scales

manteau