Geologic Resources Management

Definitions

Geology: The study of the earth. Geology is concerned with the origin, history, structure, morphology, and composition of the earth, and with the processes that originally formed the earth and by which the dynamic system continues to evolve. Geology considers the physical and, to a lesser degree, the biological processes at work on the earth, the chemistry of the earth's constituents, and the record of its past.

Geologic processes: The natural physical and chemical forces that act within natural systems, as well as upon human developments, across a broad spectrum of space and time. Such processes include, but are not limited to, exfoliation, erosion and sedimentation, glaciation, karst processes, shoreline processes, and seismic and volcanic activity.

Geologic features: The products and physical components of geologic processes. Examples of geologic features in parks include rocks, soils, and minerals; geysers and hot springs in geothermal systems; cave and karst systems; canyons and arches in erosional landscapes; sand dunes, moraines, and terraces in depositional landscapes; dramatic or unusual rock outcrops and formations; and paleontological and paleoecological resources such as fossilized plants and animals, or their traces.

Karst: Topography formed over limestone, dolomite, or gypsum by dissolving or solution and characterized by depressions, sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage.