Rock Transformations on Venus

Front

Rock Formation Noun

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[rok for-mey-shuhn]

Back

Rock Formation

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The set of natural processes that form, break down, and continuously re-form different types of rocks over geological time.

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Example: Cross-section showing magma rising through Earth's crust, forming new rock layers.

Front

Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

Back

Energy

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The capacity to cause change in matter, which drives all Earth processes including the transformation and formation of rocks.

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Example: Sunlight energy is absorbed by Earth's surface and re-radiated as infrared energy.

Front

Matter Noun

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[mat-er]

Back

Matter

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The physical substance that has mass and takes up space, which is cycled through Earth's systems during rock formation.

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Example: This diagram shows how matter cycles through rock types via processes like melting and crystallization.

Front

Weathering Noun

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[weth-er-ing]

Back

Weathering

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The natural process that breaks down rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface into smaller pieces or sediments.

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Example: The image shows how rocks break down into smaller pieces through natural processes like water flow.

Front

Erosion Noun

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[ih-roh-zhuhn]

Back

Erosion

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The process where natural forces like wind and water transport weathered rock and soil from one location to another.

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Example: Wind moves sand and dust, showing erosion by transporting particles.

Front

Sediment Noun

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[sed-uh-muhnt]

Back

Sediment

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Small, solid particles of material, originating from the weathering of rocks or from the remains of living organisms.

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Example: Sediment layers form from particles settling in water, showing how rocks and organic material break down and accumulate.

Front

Compaction Noun

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[kuhm-pak-shuhn]

Back

Compaction

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The process where the weight of overlying layers presses loose sediments together, reducing the space between the particles.

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Example: Layers of sediment are pressed together by the weight of overlying layers, reducing space between particles.

Front

Cementation Noun

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[see-men-tey-shuhn]

Back

Cementation

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The process where dissolved minerals crystallize in the spaces between sediment particles, effectively gluing them into solid rock.

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Example: The image shows sediment layers with minerals filling spaces, illustrating cementation.

Front

Sedimentary Rock Noun

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[sed-uh-men-tuh-ree rok]

Back

Sedimentary Rock

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A type of rock formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediment particles from other rocks or organisms.

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Example: Layers of sediment particles compact and cement over time to form sedimentary rock.

Front

Magma Noun

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[mag-muh]

Back

Magma

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A molten or semi-molten mixture of rock-forming substances, gases, and water found beneath the Earth's surface.

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Example: Magma flows beneath the Earth's surface, showing layers of rock and molten material.