Regional Metamorphism Regional Metamorphism: Metamorphism acts over large areas resulting from applied pressures of 3,000 to 10,000 bars and temperatures of 400°C to 800°C. Regional metamorphism is also referred to as dynamothermal metamorphism.

Hardpan (Caliche) “Hardpan” is a highly dense and solid layer of soil near the ground surface, which is usually comprised of clay or silty-clay soils. Hardpan forms by cementation over time, during the process of precipitation of insoluble substances such as calcium carbonates, silica, iron oxides, and other organic matter. “Hardpan” is a term mostly…

Subsidence “Subsidence” is a geologic condition, in which a localized mass movement occurs, resulting in the downward settlement of the earth over time. When subsidence occurs, the actual ground surface elevation is lower. This occurrence of the ground surface sinking is typically caused by groundwater table and aquifer reductions, by which the soils become more…

Hooke’s Law “Hooke’s Law” is a geological statement relating to the elastic deformation of rocks.  Hooke’s Law states the strain of an earth-material is linearly proportional to the applied stress.

Index Fossil Definition An Index fossil, in the field of paleontology, refers to a fossil that identifies and dates the stratigraphic unit that it is observed to exist in. Index fossils can combine a wide geographic range. And they can really narrow down the classifications of most stratigraphic units.