Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act: The Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act is a law that assists geologists to define “active faults” versus “potentially active faults.” The process entails using the same aging criteria as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Geological Survey (CGS). In fact, California policy requires…

Wing Dam or Wing Dike A “Wing Dam” or “Wing Dike” refers to a dam that intentionally retains a fraction of the width of a flowing water source. Unlike a conventional dam, a wind dam aims to divert the path of water flow. Additionally, a wing dike can control the velocity of water flow. For…

Regional Metamorphism Regional Metamorphism: Metamorphism acts over large areas resulting from applied pressures of 3,000 to 10,000 bars and temperatures of 400°C to 800°C. Regional metamorphism is also referred to as dynamothermal metamorphism.

Plutonic Rock (Igneous) Definition The term “Plutonic” in the field of geology refers to an igneous rock, wherein the magma had originally cooled, solidified, and crystalized underground. A plutonic rock is generally coarsely crystalline (phaneritic) and is formed during a massive geologic intrusion of magma. In fact, outcropping (or daylighting) plutonic rocks are geologic features…

Mesosphere Mesosphere: The mesosphere of a terrestrial planet is the third member of the atmosphere. On Earth, the mesosphere starts atop the stratosphere at approximately 50 kilometers above mean sea level and terminates roughly 85 kilometers above mean sea level. The mesosphere is where most meteors burn to determination. Like the stratosphere, the air in…