Chapter 4 Vocabulary

Front

What is contact metamorphism?

Back

Contact metamorphism occurs when magma comes in contact with existing rock, and its thermal energy and gases interact with the surrounding rock to create new metamorphic rock.

Front

What is a deposit in geological terms?

Back

A deposit is sediment or rock that is added to a landform.

Front

What defines a mineral?

Back

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and an orderly arrangement of atoms.

Front

What is a chemical rock?

Back

A chemical rock is made of minerals that crystallize directly from water.

Front

What is sediment?

Back

Sediment is rock material that forms when rocks are broken down into smaller pieces or dissolved in water as rocks erode.

Front

What is metamorphism?

Back

Metamorphism is the process by which existing rocks are transformed into metamorphic rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemically active fluids.

Front

What is regional metamorphism?

Back

Regional metamorphism occurs over large areas under high pressure and temperature, often associated with tectonic forces.

Front

What is plastic deformation?

Back

Plastic deformation is the permanent change in shape of a material when subjected to stress beyond its elastic limit.

Front

What are clastic rocks?

Back

Clastic rocks are sedimentary rocks formed from the accumulation and cementation of fragments of pre-existing rocks.

Front

What is a landform?

Back

A landform is a natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as mountains, valleys, plateaus, and hills.