plate
[noun]
a large, rigid section of the Earth's lithosphere that moves, leading to geological activity like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
Ex:
Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9) - Geology
Here, you will learn some English words related to Geology that are necessary for the Academic IELTS exam.
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tectonics
[noun]
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
Ex:
International
collaboration
is
common
in
tectonics
research
,
fostering
a
global
effort
to
uncover
the
mysteries
of
Earth
's
lithospheric
behavior
.
fissure
[noun]
(in geology) a narrow break or crack that partially divides a rock or surface without completely separating it
Ex:
The
tectonic
plates
pulled apart
,
causing
a
new
fissure
to
emerge
in
the
earth
's
surface
.
subduction
[noun]
a geological process where one tectonic plate moves under another and sinks into the Earth's mantle
Ex:
Subduction
zones
are
often
associated
with
deep
ocean
trenches
,
such as
the
Peru-Chile Trench
along
the
western
coast
of
South America
.
isostasy
[noun]
the gravitational balance between Earth's rigid lithosphere and the underlying, semi-fluid asthenosphere, influencing variations in surface elevation
Ex:
lithosphere
[noun]
the Earth's rigid outer layer, made up of the crust and upper mantle, and divided into tectonic plates
Ex:
The
lithosphere
contains
diverse
geological
features
,
from
vast
mountain ranges
to
deep
ocean
trenches
.
asthenosphere
[noun]
a layer of semi-fluid rock beneath the Earth's crust that allows tectonic plates to move
Ex:
karst
[noun]
a landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems
Ex:
orogeny
[noun]
the geological process of mountain building, usually occurring due to the collision or convergence of tectonic plates
Ex:
The
Alps
in
Europe
are
a
consequence
of
the
collision
between
the
African
and
Eurasian
plates
,
demonstrating
orogeny
.
geode
[noun]
a hollow rock with a cavity inside, lined with crystals or mineral material, formed through natural processes and often valued for its aesthetic qualities
Ex:
Explorers
discovered
a
large
geode
in
a
limestone
cave
,
revealing
intricate
crystal
formations
within
its
hollow
cavity
.
kimberlite
[noun]
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
Ex:
glaciation
[noun]
the geological process involving the expansion and movement of glaciers, shaping landscapes through erosion, deposition, and the formation of distinctive glacial landforms
Ex:
Glaciation
in
the
Pleistocene
epoch
left behind
moraines
,
creating
undulating
terrain
across
many
regions
.
moraine
[noun]
a deposit of rocks, sediment, and glacial material left by a moving glacier, forming distinctive landforms along its edges or terminus
Ex:
As
the
glacier
melted
,
it
left behind
a
series
of
recessional
moraines
,
documenting
its
gradual
retreat
.
drumlin
[noun]
a streamlined, elongated hill formed by glacial action, with a teardrop shape and the steeper end facing the direction of ice movement
Ex:
Researchers
studied
the
orientation
of
drumlins
to
reconstruct
the
flow
direction
of
the
ancient
ice
sheet
.
seismology
[noun]
the scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves, providing insights into Earth's interior, tectonic plate movement, and earthquake hazards
Ex:
Advances
in
seismology
have
improved
our
ability
to
predict
and
assess
earthquake
risks
in
specific
regions
.
caldera
[noun]
a large, basin-shaped volcanic crater formed by the collapse of a volcano after a massive eruption
Ex:
diagenesis
[noun]
the physical and chemical changes occurring in sediments between their deposition and their consolidation into sedimentary rock
Ex:
The
process
of
diagenesis
can
transform
loose
sediment
into
solid
rock
,
such as
sandstone
,
shale
,
or
limestone
,
over
geological time
scales
.