Geology and geoscience - introduction

Updated: Aug 4, 2025 05:25 GMT - refresh

Geology (from the Greek gea=earth and logos=study) is the natural science about the solid Earth, in particular the rocks it is composed of and the internal and external processes that shape it.

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Plate Tectonics

Introduction to Plate Tectonics
The Earth's upper, rigid layer is broken into several plates which are in constant motion to one another. Most earthquakes and volcanoes occur as result of these plate boundaries.

Volcano World

Find out about active volcanoes worldwide

Earthquakes

Earthquake monitor
Lists and maps of earthquakes in the world in near real time. Country lists, earthquake archive, and I-felt-it reports.

Volcanoes outside Earth

Volcanoes in the Solar System
The Earth is not the only place with volcanic activity. Active volcanism also occurs at at least 3 other bodies in our Solar System.

Igneous rocks

Igneous or magmatic rocks
The most primitive rock type forms when magma (molten rock) solidifies - either inside the earth (plutonic rocks) or during volcanic eruptions (volcanic rocks). A short overview.

Geology dictionary

Glossary of geologic terms
A growing list of often illustrated explanations and definitions of geological terms and keywords, with focus on volcanology and seismology.

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