weathering crust

См. также в других словарях:

• weathering — /wedh euhr ing/, n. 1. Archit. wash (def. 48). 2. material used as a weather strip. 3. Geol. the various mechanical and chemical processes that cause exposed rock to decompose. [1655 65; WEATHER + ING1] * * * Physical disintegration and chemical… …   Universalium

• geology — /jee ol euh jee/, n., pl. geologies. 1. the science that deals with the dynamics and physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the physical, chemical, and biological changes that the earth has undergone or is… …   Universalium

• chemical element — Introduction also called  element,         any substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes. Elements are the fundamental materials of which all matter is composed.       This article considers the… …   Universalium

• sedimentary rock — Rock formed at or near the Earth s surface by the accumulation and lithification of fragments of preexisting rocks or by precipitation from solution at normal surface temperatures. Sedimentary rocks can be formed only where sediments are… …   Universalium

• atmosphere, evolution of — Introduction  the development of Earth s (Earth) atmosphere across geologic time. The process by which the current atmosphere arose from earlier conditions is complex; however, evidence related to the evolution of Earth s atmosphere, though… …   Universalium

• hydrosphere — /huy dreuh sfear /, n. the water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere. [1885 90; HYDRO 1 + SPHERE] * * * Discontinuous layer of water at or near the Earth s surface. It… …   Universalium

• dating — I In geology and archaeology, the process of determining an object s or event s place within a chronological scheme. Scientists may use either relative dating, in which items are sequenced on the basis of stratigraphic clues (see stratigraphy) or …   Universalium

• Earth Sciences — ▪ 2009 Introduction Geology and Geochemistry       The theme of the 33rd International Geological Congress, which was held in Norway in August 2008, was “Earth System Science: Foundation for Sustainable Development.” It was attended by nearly… …   Universalium

• Geology of Mars — Mars   Mars as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope Designations …   Wikipedia

• mineral deposit — Introduction       aggregate of a mineral in an unusually high concentration.       About half of the known chemical elements (chemical element) possess some metallic (metal) properties. The term metal, however, is reserved for those chemical… …   Universalium

• soil — soil1 soilless, adj. /soyl/, n. 1. the portion of the earth s surface consisting of disintegrated rock and humus. 2. a particular kind of earth: sandy soil. 3. the ground as producing vegetation or as cultivated for its crops: fertile soil. 4. a… …   Universalium