Geosyncline: In geology, a geosyncline is a large-scale indentation in the Earth’s crust that is filled with sediments. A geosyncline forms due to the gradual sinking of the Earth’s crust, causing sediment from adjacent areas to gather inside. An example of a geosyncline is the Appalachian Mountains.
Terrestrial Planet Definition A terrestrial planet is any planet in the universe that has earth-like composition, such as rocks, and other similar solid substances. For instance, Mars is a terrestrial planet in our solar system, whereas Jupiter is not. This is because modern geologists, astrophysicists, and astronomers understand Mars to contain solid formations correlative to…
Gap-Graded The term “Gap-Graded” is used by geologists, engineers, and soil scientists in the geotechnical engineering field to describe the gradation of a soil sample, specifically when some particle sizes are missing. Aside from being “gap graded,” a soil sample can be described as “well-graded” (also referred to as poorly sorted), or “poorly graded” (or…
Well Log (Boring Log) Well Log: A geological well log (or boring log) is a detailed record of subsurface materials encountered during a drilling project. Boring logs, or well logs, are written by a geologist, and describe the physical subsurface characteristics and lithological units encountered during well-plotting. Well logs include information about depth, different formations,…
Plutonic Rock (Igneous) Definition The term “Plutonic” in the field of geology refers to an igneous rock, wherein the magma had originally cooled, solidified, and crystalized underground. A plutonic rock is generally coarsely crystalline (phaneritic) and is formed during a massive geologic intrusion of magma. In fact, outcropping (or daylighting) plutonic rocks are geologic features…
Thrust Fault Thrust Fault: In the field of geology, a thrust fault is a reverse fault in which the fault plane dipping angle is less than 45 degrees. Thrust faults are dip-slip faults, and can also be listric faults. For instance, the fault underlying the western embankment of the historical St. Francis Dam in Saugus,…
Consistency The term “Consistency” in the fields of engineering geology and geotechnical engineering means the degree of adhesion between soil particles within a sample, that are observed to resist deformation or rupture.
