No Comments

Appalachian orogeny

Late Paleozoic Era diastrophism with possible origin in Late Devonian Period, continuing until the end of the Permian Period. A mountain forming period for deposits in the Appalachian and Cordilleran geosynclines

No Comments

Aplite

Light-colored igneous rock characterized by fine-grained saccharoidal texture, ranging in composition from gabbro to granite, consisting of quartz, potassium feldspar, and high acid plagioclase

No Comments

Aphanitic

The texture of igneous rock in which crystalline components are too small to be detected visually by the unaided eye. Syn. Cryptocrystalline

No Comments

Apex

The top or terminal edge of 2 or more points of a geological structure

No Comments

Apatite

A hexagonal or monoclinic pseudohexagonal mineral with the general formula A5(XO4)3(F,Cl,OH) , where A = (Ba,Ca,Ce,K,Na,Pb,Sr,Y) and X = (As,C,P,Si,V). Calcium Phosphate

No Comments

Anvil

A fixed iron block used as a base for hammer forging steel

No Comments

Antimony

An extremely brittle metal with a crystalline, flaky texture. Symbol, Sb

No Comments

Anthracite

Coal containing a low percentage of volatile matter and having a high percentage of fixed carbon

No Comments

Anomaly

A variation from what is expected or normal, occurring outside of any pattern or prediction