Science / Geology Glossary

Yield: The quantity of water, coal, gold or other resource that can be produced from a deposit.

Youth: The earliest stage in the development of a landscape. During this stage streams are actively downcutting and flowing straight for long distances with frequent waterfalls and rapids. The vall . . . View Full Definition

Youth (Geomorphology): A stage in the geomorphic cycle in which a landscape has just been uplifted and is beginning to be dissected by canyons cut by young streams.

Zeolite: A group of hydrous aluminosilicates that are similar to the feldspars. They easily lose and regain their water of hydration and they fuse and swell when heated. Zeolites are frequently used . . . View Full Definition

Zinc Blende: A term used in reference to the mineral sphalerite.

Zirconium: A mineral, zirconium silicate. A hard mineral with a high index of refraction that is used as a gemstone and as an ore of zirconium.

Zone Of Aeration: A zone between the land surface and the water table where pore spaces are filled mainly with air. Water that exists in the pore space in this zone is referred to as 'soil moisture'.

Zone Of Saturation: The zone beneath the water table where all pore spaces are completely filled with water. Water that exists within this zone is known as 'ground water'.

Zone Of Weathering: A subsurface area, above the water table, where mineral and organic materials are subject to weathering.

Zoned Crystal: A crystal that grew while temperatures were changing or while the composition of the parent solution was changing. Crystals of these minerals can have a range of compositions, with a certain . . . View Full Definition

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