on April 16, 2022
What are animal fossils?
GeologyFossils are the preserved remains of plants or animals that are at least 10,000 years old. Animal fossils come in two main types: body fossils and trace fossils. Some animal fossils form through the process of perminerialization. What is the most common animal fossil? snail Turritella By far the most common fossil, based on the
on April 16, 2022
Why are some minerals considered gems?
GeologyA gemstone is usually a mineral, but it is one that has formed crystals and then been cut and polished professionally to be made into a piece of jewelry. The study of gemstones is called gemology. Why are some minerals referred to as a gem? Many minerals form beautiful crystals, but the most prized of
on April 16, 2022
What stone is quarried in Dorset?
GeologyLimestonePortland Stone or Portland Stone Formation is a limestone formation from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England.…Portland stone. Portland Stone Formation Stratigraphic range: Thickness up to 38 metres (120 ft) in Dorset Lithology Primary Limestone Other Siltstone, Sandstone What stone is quarried in the UK? Limestone
on April 16, 2022
What powers Earth’s climate system and which of Earth’s spheres are involved in this system?
GeologyThe earth is a vast, complex system powered by two sources of energy: an internal source (the decay of radioactive elements in the geosphere, which generates geothermal heat) and an external source (the solar radiation received from the Sun); the vast majority of the energy in the earth system comes from the Sun. What powers
on April 16, 2022
When and where do we have volcanoes in the United States?
GeologyMost of these are located in Alaska, where eruptions occur virtually every year. Others are located throughout the west and in Hawaii (see our Volcano Activity Map for their locations). Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. It has been erupting almost continuously since 1983.” Where are the volcanoes
on April 16, 2022
Is the Hayward Fault active?
GeologyCreep on the Hayward Fault The Hayward Fault is actively moving, year-by-year. This characteristic is unlike that of other earthquake faults such as the San Andreas Fault, which is “locked” between major earthquakes. Is the Hayward Fault overdue? “We know that the last major earthquake on the Hayward Fault occurred in 1868 — 153 years
on April 16, 2022
How are continental glaciers and valley glaciers different?
GeologyValley glaciers can flow in all directions as they move, while continental glaciers move down slopes already cut by rivers. Valley glaciers cover much of a continent, while continental glaciers cover a small area of mountains. Continental glaciers are long and narrow, while valley glaciers are wider in size. What is one main difference between
on April 16, 2022
Where does the Colorado Plateau start and end?
GeologyWhere is the Colorado Plateau located? The Colorado Plateau is centered on the four corners area of the Southwest, and includes much of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Originally named by John Wesley Powell, the Colorado Plateau comprises a series of tablelands (plateaus or mesas) located within an immense basin surrounded by highlands. What
on April 16, 2022
What is a fumarole in geology?
GeologyFumaroles are openings in the earth’s surface that emit steam and volcanic gases, such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. They can occur as holes, cracks, or fissures near active volcanoes or in areas where magma has risen into the earth’s crust without erupting. What is the difference between a geyser and a fumarole? Subterranean
on April 16, 2022
What are the layers that make up the upper mantle?
GeologyTwo parts of the upper mantle are often recognized as distinct regions in Earth’s interior: the lithosphere and the asthenosphere. What is the upper mantle made of? Upper mantle material that has come up onto the surface comprises about 55% olivine and 35% pyroxene, and 5 to 10% of calcium oxide and aluminum oxide. The