IELTS Académique (Band 8 et Plus) - Geology

a large, rigid section of the Earth's lithosphere that moves, leading to geological activity like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

plaque tectonique, plaque terrestre

the scientific study of the Earth's lithosphere and the processes that shape its structure, including the movement of tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanic activity

tectonique, étude des tectoniques

(in geology) a narrow break or crack that partially divides a rock or surface without completely separating it

fissure, fente

a geological process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the Earth's mantle

subduction, subduction tectonique

the gravitational balance between Earth's rigid lithosphere and the underlying, semi-fluid asthenosphere, influencing variations in surface elevation

isostasie

the Earth's rigid outer layer, made up of the crust and upper mantle, and divided into tectonic plates

lithosphère

a layer of semi-fluid rock beneath the Earth's crust that allows tectonic plates to move

asthénosphère

a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems

karst, paysage karstique

the geological process of mountain building, usually occurring due to the collision or convergence of tectonic plates

orogénie

a hollow rock with a cavity inside, lined with crystals or mineral material, formed through natural processes and often valued for its aesthetic qualities

géode, roche cristalline

a volcanic rock that often contains diamonds, formed during explosive eruptions from the Earth's mantle, and is of particular interest in diamond exploration and mining

kimberlite, roche kimberlitique

the geological process involving the expansion and movement of glaciers, shaping landscapes through erosion, deposition, and the formation of distinctive glacial landforms

glaciation, période de glaciation

a deposit of rocks, sediment, and glacial material left by a moving glacier, forming distinctive landforms along its edges or terminus

morène, débris glaciaire

a streamlined, elongated hill formed by glacial action, with a teardrop shape and the steeper end facing the direction of ice movement

drumlin

the scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves, providing insights into Earth's interior, tectonic plate movement, and earthquake hazards

sismologie, géophysique

a large, basin-shaped volcanic crater formed by the collapse of a volcano after a massive eruption

caldera, caldeira

the physical and chemical changes occurring in sediments between their deposition and their consolidation into sedimentary rock

diagenèse, diagenesis