Not many people notice the ground they stand on for most of the day. It is something we take for granted but really deserves more than a second glance.
There is an entire branch of science that studies the ground below us called Geology. Geologists concern themselves with the composition, formations, patterns and processes of the Earth.
Like all branches of science, geology has several specialized terms pertaining to its study. This geology word search contains 30 geology glossary terms and is a great introduction for students.
These geology terms can be found in all directions: up, down, diagonally, forward, and backward. See how quickly you can find all 30 terms.
Geology Word Search Downloads
This geology word search is optimized to fit on a standard 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper. It also scales down to A4 paper if needed. For best results, download, and print from the PDF. Be sure to choose “Scale to Fit” as a print option.
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Just like some minerals in tons of rock, some words are better hidden than others. Fortunately, there is a solved answer key to check if you need a little help. Download your preferred answer format.
[Solved Word Search Image] | [Solved Word Search PDF]
For more word search fun, check out our other science-related word search puzzles.
Geology Word Search Word List
Aggregate – A mass containing rock and mineral fragments
Alluvium – Soil and sediment deposited by running water.
Conglomerate – A rock containing individual rock pieces cemented together
Crust – The outermost solid layer of the Earth
Crystal – A solid with a highly ordered microscopic structure arranged in a lattice extending in all directions
Earthquake – A shaking of the Earth’s surface from sudden disturbances in the lithosphere
Erosion – Destruction or displacement of solids by the actions of water, wind, ice, gravity or friction
Fault – A fracture in a volume of rock showing displacement as a result of forces affecting the volume of rock
Fossil – Any mineralized sample of a previously living organism
Gemstone – Any mineral crystal which can be cut and polished into jewelry
Geology – The science of the composition of the Earth and its processes over time
Igneous – A type of rock formed from the solidification of cooling magma
Inner Core – The innermost layer of the Earth consisting primarily of a solid mass of iron and nickel with a radius of approximately 1220 km (758 miles)
Lithosphere – Combination layer consisting of the crust and outer solid mantle
Loupe – A handheld optical device used to magnify rock samples. One of the two main tools of a field geologist.
Magma – liquified rock found under the lithosphere and occasionally extends into the lithosphere in volcanos and magma chambers
Mantle – Layer of liquified rock between the Earth’s crust and outer mantle
Metamorphic – a type of rock which changed from a pre-existing type of rock through the actions of heat and pressure
Mineral – a solid chemical compound appearing in its natural form
Mining – extraction of materials from the Earth’s crust
Outer Core – Outer layer of the Earth’s core consisting mainly of liquid iron and nickel
Petrology – branch discipline of geology dealing with the origin, distribution, and composition of rocks
Plate – one of the large sections of the Earth’s crust divided by major fault lines
Rock – a solid natural mass consisting of one or more minerals
Rock Hammer – A hammer tool consisting of a hammer on one side and a pick on the other. It is used to break open rock samples and often appears in photographs as a reference for size scale. It is one of the two main tools of a field geologist.
Sedimentary – A type of rock formed from the deposition and cementation of minerals from sediment.
Seismology – The branch of geology dealing with the study of earthquakes and seismic waves moving through the Earth.
Tectonics – theory of motion of plates explaining movements of continents, the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanos.
Volcano – break in the Earth’s crust where lava, ash, and/or gases escape from a magma chamber
Vulcanology – branch discipline of geology dealing with volcanos and their systems.