GEOLOGICAL GLOSSARY

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J
K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T
		U	V	W	X	Y	Z

A

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B

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C

Crust: Outermost layer of the Earth; also known as the lithosphere.
Crystal: Solid substance with a regular internal structure and plane faces arranged symmetrically.
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D

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E

Element: A pure substance, not a mixture or a compound.
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F

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G

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H

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I

Igneous Rock (IG-nee-us): Rock that has formed from cooled and hardened magma.
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J

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K

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L

Lustre: The soft, reflective sheen of a mineral.
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M

Magma: Molten rock, usually deep within the Earth.
Mantle: Thick layer of dense, hot rock, below the Earth's crust but surrounding the core.
Metamorphic Rock (meta-MORF-ik): Igneous or sedimentary rock changed by heat, pressure or a combination of both.
Mineral: Constituent of rock. Most are combinations of two or more elements.
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N

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O

Ore (or): Mineral that contains a useful substance, such as a metal.
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P

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Q

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R

Rock: Solid mixture of minerals and crystals.
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S

Sedimentary Rock (sedi-MENT-ary): Hardened layers of mud, sand, shells or any fine-grained substance. Usually laid down, or by water.
Stalactite (STAL-ak-tyte): Column growing from a cave ceiling downwards, due to dripping water with accumulating mineral deposits. (To remember this grows downwards, stalactite has a 'C' representing 'Ceiling', as opposed to stalagmite which contains a letter 'G' representing 'Ground'.)
Stalagmite (STAL-ag-mite): Column growing from a cave floor upwards, due to dripping water with accumulating mineral deposits. (To remember this grows upwards, stalagmite contains a letter 'G' representing 'Ground', as opposed to stalactite, which has a 'C' representing 'Ceiling'.)
Streak: Colour of a powdered mineral.
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T

T: Blah
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U

U: Blah
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V

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W

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X

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Y

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Z

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Geology | Minerals | Crystals | Science