geological process

Other forms: geological processes

Definitions of geological process

1. noun

   (geology) a natural process whereby geological features are modified
   synonyms: geologic process

   types:

   alluvion

   gradual formation of new land, by recession of the sea or deposit of sediment

   desertification

   the gradual transformation of habitable land into desert; is usually caused by climate change or by destructive use of the land

   diastrophism

   the process of deformation that produces continents and ocean basins in the earth's crust

   eating away, eroding, erosion, wearing, wearing away

   (geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

   fold, folding

   a geological process that causes a bend in a stratum of rock

   glaciation

   the process of covering the earth with glaciers or masses of ice

   intrusion

   the forcing of molten rock into fissures or between strata of an earlier rock formation

   metamorphism

   change in the structure of rock by natural agencies such as pressure or heat or introduction of new chemical substances

   orogeny

   the process of mountain formation (especially by the upward displacement of the earth's crust)

   stratification

   forming or depositing in layers

   subduction

   a geological process in which one edge of a crustal plate is forced sideways and downward into the mantle below another plate

   chatter mark

   marks on a glaciated rock caused by the movement of a glacier

   ablation

   the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers

   abrasion, attrition, corrasion, detrition

   erosion by friction

   anamorphism

   metamorphism that occurs deep under the earth's surface; changes simple minerals into complex minerals

   beach erosion

   the erosion of beaches

   epigenesis

   a geological change in the mineral content of rock after the rock has formed

   foliation

   (geology) the arrangement of leaflike layers in a rock

   Riss glaciation

   the next-to-last Pleistocene glaciation in the Alps and the deposits laid down at that time

   Saale glaciation

   the next-to-last Pleistocene glaciation in northern Europe and the deposits laid down at that time

   Wolstonian glaciation

   the next-to-last Pleistocene glaciation in Britain and the deposits laid down at that time

   deflation

   (geology) the erosion of soil as a consequence of sand and dust and loose rocks being removed by the wind

   katamorphism

   metamorphism that occurs at or near the earth's surface; breaks down complex minerals into simpler ones

   planation

   the process of erosion whereby a level surface is produced

   soil erosion

   the washing away of soil by the flow of water

   type of:

   action, activity, natural action, natural process

   a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings)