geological phenomenon

Other forms: geological phenomena

Definitions of geological phenomenon

1. noun

   a natural phenomenon involving the structure or composition of the earth
   types:

   earthquake, quake, seism, temblor

   shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity

   endogeny

   a geological phenomenon below the surface of the earth

   alluvial cone, alluvial fan

   a fan-shaped deposit where a fast flowing stream flattens out

   cataclysm, catastrophe

   a sudden violent change in the earth's surface

   continental drift

   the gradual movement and formation of continents (as described by plate tectonics)

   alluviation, deposit, sedimentation

   the phenomenon of sediment or gravel accumulating

   alluvion, deluge, flood, inundation

   the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

   frost heave, frost heaving

   upthrust of ground or pavement caused by the freezing of moist soil

   transgression

   the spreading of the sea over land as evidenced by the deposition of marine strata over terrestrial strata

   volcanism

   the phenomena associated with volcanic activity

   seismic disturbance, shock

   an instance of agitation of the earth's crust

   earth tremor, microseism, tremor

   a small earthquake

   seaquake, submarine earthquake

   an earthquake at the sea bed

   nuclear winter

   a long period of darkness and extreme cold that scientists predict would follow a full-scale nuclear war; a layer of dust and smoke in the atmosphere would cover the earth and block the rays of the sun; most living organisms would perish

   load, lode

   a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks

   debacle

   flooding caused by a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river during the spring or summer

   flash flood, flashflood

   a sudden and great flow of water in a short period of time

   Noachian deluge, Noah and the Flood, Noah's flood, the Flood

   (Biblical) the great deluge that is said in the Book of Genesis to have occurred in the time of Noah; it was brought by God upon the earth because of the wickedness of human beings

   type of:

   natural phenomenon

   all phenomena that are not artificial