Rocks, volcanoes, caves and the slow machinery of the planet, from plate boundaries to the water cycle.
The ground under your feet is running an experiment several billion years long, and earth science is how we read the results so far. This shelf covers the planet as a machine: the rocks it builds, the plates it shuffles, the volcanoes and earthquakes it uses to let off pressure, and the slow chemistry that carves a limestone cave out of solid stone.
Reference guides cover rock types, minerals, crystals and fossils, including how index fossils let geologists date the layers they sit in. Process articles explain the machinery: plate boundaries and what happens at each kind, the water cycle from evaporation to aquifer, weathering and erosion, and the formation stories behind caves, waterfalls, geysers and sea stacks.
Start with the featured guides above for the most-referenced pieces, or browse the full list for a specific rock, landform or process. When a disaster topic comes up, the article sticks to mechanisms and published safety guidance, with no drama added, because the planet supplies enough of its own.
Classification of rocks, minerals, and magma based on the silica content present in them defines them as either mafic or felsic. Learn more about the Mafic vs. Felsic geological classification through this ScienceStruck article.
Basalt rock is one of the most abundant components in the Earth’s crust, and is commonly formed due to lava flow. In this article, we will take a look at the properties of this igneous rock, and the various ways in which it is useful to us.
Gabbro is an intrusive igneous rock that is composed mainly of the minerals clinopyroxene and calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar. It has numerous uses like for making cemetery markers, monumental stone, as crushed materials for construction and several other things.
Chert is a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline sedimentary rock made up of silica (silicon dioxide or SiO2). A popular silica mineral is quartz.
A type of plate tectonic boundary, other than the convergent and divergent boundaries is the transform boundary. This ScienceStruck article provides information regarding this boundary is, along with its examples.
Andesite is an extrusive igneous rock that has a porphyritic texture. This rock is formed from molten magma, which has medium viscosity. Read this ScienceStruck article to know the facts, origin, formation, and properties of andesite rocks.
A sea stack is one of the several beautiful and awe-inspiring creations of nature. In this ScienceStruck article, we shall tell you what it is and how it is formed.
The South American continent is flanked by a magnificent mountain range on its west coast. This ScienceStruck article explains the formation of the Andes mountain range.
The process of erosion is followed by deposition. Deposition refers to a process in which materials such as rocks and sediments settle down, giving rise to specific formations. This extract provides you with the definition of deposition with their examples in real life.
Volcanoes are nature’s one of the most remarkable phenomena. But did you know apart from being destructive and harmful, they have some amazing uses too? Well, you are on the right page if you didn’t know. This ScienceStruck post tells you some wonderful uses of volcanic ash in daily life.
Crystalline and amorphous are two basic sub-types of solids, which may look similar on the outside, but are actually vastly different from the inside. In this ScienceStruck post, we examine the difference between crystalline and amorphous solids.
Erosion is a geological process that shapes the surface of the Earth, its land, and water bodies. Here are some examples of erosion that make us speechless on how these mechanisms of geology operate.
Divergent plate boundaries are those tectonic borders where tectonic plates pull away from each other and form a new crust. ScienceStruck takes you through some interesting facts about these divergent boundary zones on this Earth.
Index fossils are used to identify geologic periods, which is why they are also known as guide fossils or indicator fossils. This post provides some information about them and their examples.
Hydrosphere is the liquid water component of Earth. It includes the water on and under the surface of the planet, and that in air. This article provides information about this sphere of Earth and its importance.
Our planet inherits a large number of artifacts and monuments bestowed upon us by older historic civilizations. These remains are subjected to dating techniques in order to predict their ages and trace their history. This ScienceStruck post enlists the differences between the absolute and relative dating methods.
Ever wondered what the upper crust of the Earth consists of? Where exactly are the tectonic plates that cause earthquakes situated? The answer to these questions is the ‘lithosphere’.
The mineral mica is abundantly used in items that you use everyday, like cosmetics and electrical appliances. This is because of the unique properties it possesses. We shall furnish the properties and uses of mica for your understanding.
Glowing water can be harmless and safe if done without the use of a black light. Anything can virtually glow in a black light. It’s no biggie! Here, we show you how to make glowing water in ways that are easy, safe, and hence, enjoyable.
26th December, 2004. This day shook the world, as the waters of the Indian Ocean wrecked havoc on the Asian subcontinent. We are referring to the Indian Ocean Tsunami that occurred in 2004, which permanently changed the fate of millions on the planet. This article describes the horror that occurred on that day and tells you how and why it was caused. It is also our tribute to the departed.
In this article, we put forth a compilation of facts and statistics about the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which ripped through the Caribbean nation and derailed their dream of achieving economic stability.
The Paleozoic Era is one of the most important geological divisions of our planet’s geochronological timescale, as it marks the extensive evolution of life, along with the largest mass extinction. Read this ScienceStruck article to gain more information about this era on Earth, along with the respective major geological events and related facts.
The Krakatoa volcano erupted in the year 1883, killing as many as 36,000 people. We will take you through the details of this disaster and the effects it had on the environment and the world.
The Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 left over 63 people dead, injured thousands of others, and caused widespread harm to property and the environment alike. In this ScienceStruck post, we will provide facts and statistics about this earthquake and the effects of the same.
A spring scale is one of the most commonly used measurement tools. How does it work? If you are curious about the functioning of a spring scale, read this ScienceStruck post.
One of the most interesting geological features in the world are fault block mountains. Information about these mountains can enhance your understanding of the process of mountain formation and the hidden forces that propel it.
Glass and crystal are not the same, although they may look alike. There are few differences between glass and crystal. This article will help you to differentiate between the two.
Though it may not be the case with human emotions, sometimes piling and layering things up is a good idea! It is one of the ways in which rocks are formed on the surface of Earth.
Some of the famous volcanoes in Japan are still active and spewing terror on the surrounding population. The following article will cover information related to the facts about major volcanoes in Japan. Read through the following article to know more on this.
Limestone caves have been in existence eons ago. In the prehistoric times, they have been used for shelter, as religious sites, storage, and for burials too.
Going through the compilation of some facts about the Earth’s crust given below will help you get well-versed with this layer of the planet - the outermost layer of the Earth to be precise. Read on...
The prime characteristics of igneous rocks used for identification purposes are color and size of crystals. Color of igneous rocks may be light or dark, whereas the crystal size is either small or large, based on how crystallization process takes place.
Very little in known about the subglacial volcanoes, which is the reason why they still remain a subject of mystique and intrigue. These volcanoes are restricted to certain areas due to their premise of erupting in glacial regions
Volcanoes are present not only on the surface of the earth but also in deep ocean waters. They are found even in shallow waters. The underwater volcano facts, presented in this ScienceStruck article, will help you understand how an underwater volcano helps build up the features of an ocean.
Igneous rocks are basically used in flooring, landscaping and construction projects. However, igneous rock uses are specific to its type, which is classified according to the formation process, mineral content, hardness, texture and other properties.
Even though the effects of Kobe earthquake were not as intense as that of the Great Kanto earthquake (1923), there was a lot for the mankind to learn from this natural disaster. Continue reading for more information on this earthquake, with emphasis on its aftermaths.
A descriptive write-up on how volcanic mountains are formed which will explain how mountains like Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Fuji came into existence. Continue reading.....
Active, extinct or dormant, the destruction caused by each volcano is the same. Countries like Japan and United States mark the origins of several volcanoes. Read this article to know all the details about these dormant volcanoes.
Natural disasters not only affect the people in the area that they destroy, but indirectly also affect mankind on the whole. We’ll have a look at the worst disasters ever to befall our planet Earth, and some important facts related to them.
The terms rocks and minerals are incorrectly used as synonyms, as the difference between the two remains unclear. Find out what sets them apart from each other by reading this article.
