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SAT Natural Sciences - Geology

Here you will learn some English words related to geology, such as "temblor", "sediment", "quarry", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Vocabulary for Natural Sciences
geologist
geologist
[noun]

a scientist who studies the Earth's structure, composition, processes, and history, including rocks, minerals, fossils, and geological phenomena

Ex: The geologist analyzed the rock formations to determine their geological age and origin. 
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seismologist

a scientist who specializes in the study of earthquakes and seismic waves, investigating their causes, effects, and patterns

Ex: The seismologist monitors seismic activity to assess earthquake risks in the region. 
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epicenter
epicenter
[noun]

the point on the surface of the earth vertically above the focus of an earthquake where its effects are felt most strongly

Ex: The epicenter of the earthquake was located just outside the city, causing widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. 
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temblor
temblor
[noun]

an earthquake caused by underground movement or volcanic activity

Ex: The region experienced a small temblor, causing brief vibrations but no significant damage. 
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tremor
tremor
[noun]

a small or slight earthquake

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volcanology

a branch of geology that focuses on the study of volcanoes, volcanic activity, and related phenomena

Ex: Scientists in volcanology study lava flows and volcanic ash. 
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eruption
eruption
[noun]

the sudden outburst of lava and steam from a volcanic mountain

Ex: The volcanic eruption sent ash and lava flowing down the mountainside. 
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shield volcano

a type of broad, gently sloping volcano formed by the eruption of low-viscosity basaltic lava

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caldera
caldera
[noun]

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

Ex: The Santorini Caldera in the Aegean Sea is a stunning example of a caldera filled with seawater. 
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magma
magma
[noun]

liquid or semi-liquid rock that exists under the earth's surface with an extremely hot temperature

Ex: Magma rises through cracks in the crust, fueling volcanic eruptions. 
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sediment
sediment
[noun]

particles of rock, minerals, or organic materials that have been transported by wind, water, or ice, and deposited in layers on the Earth's surface

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outcrop
outcrop
[noun]

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

Ex: Hiking along the trail, we encountered an impressive outcrop of sedimentary rock, revealing layers formed over millions of years. 
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geothermal
geothermal
[Adjective]

connected with or produced by the heat inside the earth

Ex: Geothermal energy is harnessed by tapping into hot underground reservoirs to generate electricity. 
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basin
basin
[noun]

a large, bowl-shaped depression or low-lying area on the Earth's surface, typically surrounded by higher landforms and often filled with sedimentary deposits

Ex: The Great Basin in the western United States is known for its desert landscapes and salt flats. 
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continental crust

the thick, buoyant part of the Earth's crust that forms the continents, composed mainly of granitic rocks and less dense than oceanic crust

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paleocontinent

a landmass that existed in the geological past

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subduction

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

Ex: The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American Plate has created the Cascadia Subduction Zone, known for its seismic activity. 
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mantle
mantle
[noun]

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

Ex: The mantle is a layer of the Earth's interior that lies between the crust and the outer core. 
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quarry
quarry
[noun]

a site where large quantities of rock, stone, or minerals are extracted from the Earth's crust for industrial use or construction purposes

Ex: The quarry supplied limestone for the construction of the new highway. 
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fault
fault
[noun]

a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock, along which there has been significant displacement due to tectonic forces

Ex: The San Andreas Fault in California is well-known for its seismic activity. 
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bedrock
bedrock
[noun]

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

Ex: Excavation for the building's foundation revealed the presence of sturdy bedrock, ensuring stability for the structure. 
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shale
shale
[noun]

a type of fine-grained sedimentary rock made from compacted clay or mud particles, known for its ability to split into thin layers

Ex: The quarry extracted large quantities of shale for construction purposes. 
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basalt
basalt
[noun]

a type of dark, fine-grained igneous rock formed from cooled lava, characterized by its dense composition and typically dark gray to black color

Ex: The volcanic island was primarily composed of basalt. 
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index fossil

a fossilized organism that is useful for dating and correlating the strata in which it is found, typically indicative of a particular time period in Earth's geological history

Ex: The trilobite is an index fossil commonly used to date Paleozoic rock layers. 
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intrusion
intrusion
[noun]

(geology) the injection of magma into existing rock formations underground

Ex: The granite intrusion altered the surrounding rock layers. 
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radiometric dating

a method used to determine the age of rocks and minerals by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes present in them

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igneous
igneous
[Adjective]

(of rock) formed from cooled magma or lava

Ex: Igneous rocks form from molten material cooling and solidifying. 
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metamorphic
metamorphic
[Adjective]

related to rocks transformed by intense heat, pressure, or chemical processes, altering their mineral composition and texture

Ex: Marble is a metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of limestone. 
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tectonic
tectonic
[Adjective]

relating to the movement and arrangement of the Earth's crust

Ex: Tectonic activity along fault lines can result in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. 
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to smelt
to smelt
[Verb]

to extract metal from its ore by heating and melting it in a furnace

Ex: The workers smelt ore to produce iron in the foundry. 
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slag
slag
[noun]

the byproduct of smelting ore that forms a glass-like material, often found as a residue in mining and metalworking activities

Ex: The old mine was littered with heaps of slag, remnants of the smelting operations that had once thrived there. 
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mesozoic
mesozoic
[noun]

the period of time from about 252 to 66 million years ago, characterized by the dominance of dinosaurs and the gradual breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea

Ex: The study of fossils from the Mesozoic reveals a diverse range of ancient life forms, including dinosaurs and early mammals. 
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granite
granite
[noun]

a durable and visually appealing natural rock used for countertops, flooring, and other architectural applications

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quartzite
quartzite
[noun]

a tough type of rock that starts as sandstone but changes under intense heat and pressure underground, becoming very hard and durable

Ex: The mountain climbers marveled at the sheer cliffs of quartzite, their surfaces glinting in the sunlight. 
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argillite
argillite
[noun]

a type of rock formed from clay minerals that have been compressed and hardened over time, creating a dense and often smooth-textured material

Ex: The artist displayed a stunning sculpture carved from a single piece of argillite, highlighting its smooth, slate-like texture. 
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olivine
olivine
[noun]

a mineral with a greenish hue, commonly found in igneous rocks like basalt and peridotite, known for its high magnesium and iron content

Ex: The jeweler crafted a stunning necklace adorned with a centerpiece of olivine, capturing the gemstone's natural brilliance. 
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limestone
limestone
[noun]

a hard gray or white rock that contains calcium and is used for making cement or as a building material

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pyroxene
pyroxene
[noun]

a group of minerals found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, typically dark in color and composed of silica, magnesium, and iron

Ex: The volcanic rock was rich in pyroxene, giving it a dark and glossy appearance. 
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kaolinite
kaolinite
[noun]

a soft, white clay mineral formed from the weathering of aluminum-rich rocks, used widely in ceramics, paper production, and as a filler in some medications

Ex: The pottery artist used kaolinite clay to create delicate porcelain vases, admired for their smooth texture and fine detail. 
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feldspar
feldspar
[noun]

a group of minerals that are the most abundant components in the Earth's crust, known for their hardness and varied colors, often used in ceramics and glassmaking

Ex: The ceramic artist blended feldspar with clay to create durable and beautifully glazed pottery. 
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