306 Answered Questions for the topic geology

05/12/19

Could evidence of a signal from an exocivilization be found in the geologic record?
We know that the current SETI efforts have not found evidence for the existence of intelligent exo-civilizations (XCIV). There also has not been any evidence found of ancient non-human... more
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05/12/19

What do continents "lay" on?
It's a simple question.. What do continents "lay" on? Do they float on water? or are they huge bodies that "emerge" from the sea floor/bed? are they connected to the bottom of the oceans? Hope the... more
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05/11/19

What would you say water is?

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05/11/19

When was the last ice age?
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05/11/19

How can I learn to spot fossils and fossil-bearing rocks on the Jurassic coast?
Due to a pleasant change in my circumstances, I have been to Lyme Regis several times recently, and it seems as though I'm going to be a regular visitor over the next few years.As a former... more
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05/11/19

What are the high field strength and large ion lithophile (HFS or HFSE & LIL or LILE) elements?
There are two groups of elements that are frequently mentioned when discussing incompatible trace elements. They are the high field strength elements (HFS or HFSE) and the large ion lithophile... more
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05/11/19

What is the difference between eluvium and alluvium?
I was reading about kimberlite on Wikipedia and it mentioned eluvium. I've heard of alluvium, alluvial fans, alluvial deposits, etc. However, when I looked up eluvium, it sounded exactly like... more
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05/10/19

Is an underground mine collapse or a tunnel collapse called a sinkhole?
Imagine there's an underground man made structure e.g. a tunnel or an underground train station that collapses creating a depression in the surface. Would that technically be called a sinkhole?... more
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05/09/19

Long term effect on rocks of high pressure and temperature?
The mean surface temperature of Venus is about 460 C and the pressure is about 92 atmospheres. Assuming this situation (or similar) has prevailed for millions of years what changes (if any) would... more
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05/09/19

Seeming correlation between time of day and earthquakes?
I live in a generally geographically active area (Southern California, near the San Andreas fault, if that matters), that has had two relatively minor earthquakes that I have felt in the last week... more
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05/06/19

Radioactive decay is the main source of the earth's interior heat: fact or theory?
It's believed the main reason that the interior of the Earth hasn't cooled down in 4 billion years is because of the ongoing decay of radioactive elements that keeps adding more heat than is lost... more
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05/06/19

What are the differences between geology, petrology, and lithology?
What differences are there between geology, petrology, and lithology? If I were to get into any of those fields, what exactly would I be studying? Also, are petrology and lithology just branches... more
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05/06/19

What determines a mineral's hardness?
Mohs Hardness Scale is basically a measurement of the hardness of a material, or more specific, a rock or mineral. But I have never been able to figure out why some minerals are harder than others.
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05/06/19

Can rocks have pressure signatures?
Since rocks can have magnetic signatures, as is the case with paleomagnetism, can they store past pressures also? For example, when researchers are trying to determine past ocean levels, they... more
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05/05/19

Are there situations where the groundwater table doesn't follow the morphology of the surface?
In most or all geological site reports I read, the groundwater table (of the uppermost groundwater layer) always followed the morphology of the surface. Is this always the case? Are there signs for... more
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05/03/19

Why are most minerals so rare?
There are 4,660 known minerals, so why are most of them so rare? Is it to do with the structure of minerals?
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05/03/19

Is there geological evidence that the moon once collided with the Earth?
I've seen models in astronomy that show how the Earth-Moon system must have come together after a collision. However, I have not heard whether there is any actual physical evidence on Earth that... more
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Geology Science

05/03/19

How does climate change affect volcanic eruptions? Vise Versa
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05/02/19

Which theory is stronger, that iron came from outside or was formed within earth?
Where is the current body of science learning towards, that iron came from meteor or it was somehow formed on earth?
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05/01/19

Io: Why so much sulfur?
Io is the only body in the Solar System whose crust is dominated by sulfur and its compounds. Carbon and nitrogen are also very common in the universe but we don't see them or their compounds in... more
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Geology Education Rocks Soil

04/29/19

Making a local geological field trip an interesting and educational event for children?
I have no expertise in geology or earth science, but I would like to do a "field trip" with my home-schooled young children (under age 10) where I could teach them about geology from a hands-on... more
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04/28/19

Is the magma in one volcano different from the magma in every other volcano?
First off, a confession: I'm asking this question because of *The Lord of the Rings*. If you're not aware already, in the story, a magical ring can only be destroyed in a specific volcano. The... more
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04/28/19

How is/was continental drift monitored?
I am curious about current technology but I am particularly interested in what techniques were employed prior to the advent of satellite technology.
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04/28/19

Can we see lava in a divergent tectonic boundary?
Can we actually see an orange line of lava if we look down to the crack of the divergent boundary of tectonic plates?
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04/27/19

Is there geological evidence that the moon once collided with the Earth?
I've seen models in astronomy that show how the Earth-Moon system must have come together after a collision. However, I have not heard whether there is any actual physical evidence on Earth that... more
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