Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 6-7) - Geology

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

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

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

(geology) a distinct layer of rock or sediment

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

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

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

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

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

a vast and longest subdivision of geological time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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