University of Farhat Abbes Sétif 1 Teacher: Merazka Sabrina

Institute of Architecture and Earth Sciences

Second Year: Applied Geology

Module: English Language

THE SCIENCE OF GEOLOGY

1. What is geology?

Geology is the study of the Earth, including the material that it is made of the physical and chemical changes

that occur on its surface and in its interior, and the history of the planet and its life forms.

2. What does a geologist do?

Geologists work to understand the history of our planet. The better they can understand Earth’s history, the

better they can see how events and processes of the past might influence the future.

3. What are the branches of geology?

Geology is divided into several branches, including:

 Mineralogy (the study of minerals and their classification)

 Petrology (the study of origin, occurrence, structure and history of rocks)

 Tectonics (the deformation and movement of the Earth's crust)

 Geophysics (using physics to study the Earth's surface, interior, and atmosphere)

 Environmental Geology (the application of geology to problems

created by man)

 Geochemistry (study of the chemical composition of the Earth)

 Hydrogeology (study of groundwater)

 Seismology (study of earthquakes and related phenomena)

 Stratigraphy (the deposition of successive beds of sedimentary rocks)

Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina

Module: English Language

TASK 01 : match the following technical words with their definitions

Technical words words Definitions

Geology (noun)  one who studies the history and development

of the Earth

Geologists (noun)  refering to geology

Geologic (adjective)  study of the history and development of the

Geological(adjective) Earth
 from a geological standpoint
Geologically(adverb)

►Now, fill in the blanks with the appropriate words.

1. ......................... work to understand the history of our planet.

2. Geologists have divided Earth history into units displayed in the ......................... time scale.
3. An important part of ......................... is the study of how Earth’s materials, structures, processes and
organisms have changed over time.
4. Only a small portion of the surface of the earth has been ......................... explored.
5. Nicolas Steno (1638-1686) expressed three basic .........................principles.

TASK02: Fill in the blanks with the following words

“erosion”, “earthquakes”, “volcanic”, “soils”, “processes”, “crustal”

Physical geology is the study of the earth's rocks, minerals, and ……….………. and how they have formed

through time. Complex internal processes such as plate tectonics and mountain-building have formed these

rocks and brought them to the earth's surface.……….………. are the result of the sudden movement

of…….………. plates, releasing internal energy that becomes destructive at the surface. Internal heat and

energy are released also through ……….………. eruptions. External ……….………. such as glaciation,

running water, weathering, and ……….………. have formed the landscapes we see today.
TASK 03: Write the name of relevant geological branches in front of the corresponding

definition

Geological
definitions
branches
Dealing with the origin, occurrence, structure, and history of rocks.

The study of the distribution of the chemical elements in minerals, ores, rocks, soils,
water and the atmosphere.

Deals with the form, arrangement and internal structure of the rocks.

Deals with the original succession and age relations of rock strata.

Dealing with the broad architecture of the outer part of the earth.
Second Year : Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina

Module : English Language

1. The Earth and its materials

Most of the Earth is composed of rocks. Rocks, in turn, are composed of minerals. Although more than 3500
different minerals exist. Geologists study the origins, properties, and compositions of both rocks and minerals.
Geologists also explore the Earth for the resources needed in our technological
world: fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas; mineral resources such as metals; sand and gravel;
and fertilizers.

2. Layers surrounding the Earth

The Earth is surrounded by three layers:

 The hydrosphere: includes water in streams, wetlands, lakes, and oceans; in the atmosphere; and frozen
in glaciers. It also includes ground water present in soil and rock to a depth of at least 2 kilometers.
 The atmosphere: is a mixture of gases, mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Ninety-nine percent is concentrated
within 30 kilometers of the Earth’s surface, but a few traces remain even 10,000 kilometers above the
surface.
 The biosphere: is the thin zone near the Earth’s surface that is occupied by life, It includes the
uppermost solid Earth, the hydrosphere, and the lower parts of the atmosphere.

3. Layers of Earth

 The crust is the outermost and thinnest layer. Because the crust is relatively cool, it consists of hard,
strong rock.
 The mantle lies directly below the crust. It is almost 2900 kilometers thick and makes up 80 percent of

the Earth’s volume. The upper part of the mantle consists of two layers which are named lithosphere and

asthenosphere.
 The core is the innermost of the Earth’s layers. The outer core is molten because of the high
temperature in that region.
 Practice :

Activity 01: According to the passage, which of the following statements

are “true” or “false”? then correct the false one

1. Sand and gravel are mineral resources

……………………………………………..
2. The atmosphere is a mixture of gases, mostly hydrogen and oxygen.
………………………………………………………………………………….
3. The biosphere includes the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the lower parts of the atmosphere.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. Oceanic crust is 5 to 10 kilometers thick and is composed mostly of basalt.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5. The outer core is solid because of the high pressure in that region.
…………………………………………………………………….

Activity 02: Fill in the gaps choosing one of the variants in brackets.

There are ........... causes of weathering, but it depends on the change in temperature, (many, much)

2. As is known, only …..... minerals and rocks are resistant to the action of natural waters (little, few)

3. The roots of plants developed …….... pressure which did not fracture overlaying rocks (little, few).

4. A new geological map of the region will appear in a .......... years.(little, few)

5. ……. minerals undergo changes. They have already undergone …..….transformation. (many, much).
Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina
Module: English Language

THE ROCK CYCLE

Rocks tell the story of the Earth
The Earth is made of rock, from the tallest mountains to the floor of the deepest ocean. Thousands of
different types of rocks and minerals have been found on Earth. Most rocks at the Earth’s surface are
formed from only eight elements (oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and
sodium), but these elements are combined in a number of ways to make rocks that are very different.
Rocks are continually changing. Wind and water wear them down and carry bits of rock away; the tiny
particles accumulate in a lake or ocean and harden into rock again. The oldest rock that has ever been
found is more than 3.9 billion years old. The Earth itself is at least 4.5 billion years old and rock forming
and rock-destroying processes have been active for billions of years.

Types of Rocks
Geologists classify rocks in three groups, according to the major Earth processes that formed them. The
three rock groups are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

1. Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed from melted rock that has cooled and solidified. When rocks are buried deep
within the Earth, they melt because of the high pressure and temperature; the molten rock (called magma)
can then flow upward or even erupted from a volcano onto the Earth’s surface.

2. Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are formed at the surface of the Earth, either in water or on land. They are layered
accumulations of sediments: fragments of rocks, minerals, or animal or plant material. Temperatures and
pressures are low at the Earth’s surface, and sedimentary rocks show this fact by their appearance and the
minerals they contain.

3. Metamorphic Rocks
Sometimes sedimentary and igneous rocks are subjected to pressures so intense or heat so high that they
are completely changed. They become metamorphic rocks, which form while deeply buried within the
Earth’s crust. The process of metamorphism does not melt the rocks, but instead transforms them into
denser, more compact rocks. New minerals are created either by rearrangement of mineral components or
by reactions with fluids that enter the rocks.
PRACTICE
TASK 01:
1. The oldest rock that has ever been found is less than 3.9 billion years
……………………………………………………………………………….
2. The process of metamorphism melts the rocks.
……………………………………………………………………
3. An extrusive igneous rock forms when magma erupts and solidifies on the Earth’s surface
…………………………………………………………………..
4.Weathering may reduce a metamorphic rock to igneous rock
…………………………………………….
5.Igneous rocks form when a hot, molten liquid called magma solidifies
…………………………………………………………………………
6. Pressure or temperature can even change previously metamorphosed rocks into new sedimentary rocks
……………………………………………………………………..
7. Igneous rocks could change into sediments by melting
…………………………………………………………………

TASK 02: Note the following technical words and their definitions then match each one
with its appropriate definition

Sediment (noun) accumulation of sediment

Sedimentary (adjective) material deposited by ice or wind or water

Sedimentation (noun) formed by deposits of sediment

Sedimentology one who studies the sediments

Sedimentologist The scientific study of sediments and the

determination of their origin

TASK 03: complete with the relevant type of rock

These rocks were formed from the remains of animals or plants and other rocks which had been
crushed together.
…………………………
These rocks were formed when hot, molten volcanic material cooled and solidified
………………………
These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary and were changed by great heat and pressure.
Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina

Module : English Language

Read the sentences below and fill in the missing words from the word bank

1. The oldest rocks on Earth are about………………………….million years old.

2. Most rocks are covered by soil, trees or…………………

3. The three main types of rocks at the Earth’s surface are………………, …………….. and………………

4. Igneous rocks come from………………… eruptions

5. Sedimentary rock is formed from sediment like…………………. and clay.

6. …………………. Rock is formed deep underground.

7. Minerals are……………………. and are found in all rocks.

8. All rocks are eventually worn away by ………………….. and …………………….

9. Rocks often form……………………..

10. Basalt is earth’s most ………………………..rock

3.800 sedimentary sand substances metamorphic igneous

volcanic Wind Common crystals rain grass metamorphic

Task 02: Read the sentences and decide which of the given options is correct.
1. During the development, we stopped to think about the difficulties.
a) we stopped thinking about the difficulties and we don‘t think about them now.
b) for a short time, during the development, we did not think about the difficulties
c) we did think about the difficulties during the development phase.
2. I like to call customers, to check that they are happy a few weeks after buying a machine from us.
a) I think it is a good policy to check that the customer is happy
b) I really enjoy calling customers to check that they are happy
c) I would like to call customers, to check that they are happy.
3. I was trying to contact the firm last week.
a) I attempted to call the firm last week.
b) I succeeded in contacting the firm last week.
c) I didn’t attempted to call the firm last week.
Task 03: Match the antonyms
shift variable
eventually vaporiz
condense beginning
lose absorb
constant keep
extend shorten
emit increasing
include common
lowering find
rare excluding

Task04 : choose the correct tense of the verbs into bracket (simple past or present perfect)
A: ....................................(see) Greg lately?
B: No, I ............................. I .............................(talk) to him at the airport two weeks ago. But I
...............................(see not) him since then.
A: Where .................................(he travel)?
B: He ............................(fly) to Greece for a holiday.
A: I .............................(be) Greece three times. I love Greece.
B: Really? My wife and I .................................(spend) a week in Turkey last year, but I
.................................... ...........(never be) Greece.
A.By the way, ............................(come) back yet?
B: I don't know. I .........................( call) him yesterday, but there .......................(be) no reply.
- I ………………….( lost) my cards (still don’t find them).
- He is on holiday”. “Oh, where………………………(go)?

- It’s Rachel’s birthday tomorrow and I ………………………( buy not) her a present.
Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina
Module: Technical English

WEATHERING, EROSION AND SOIL

What is weathering?
The process of weathering alters rocks at the earth's surface and breaks them into fine-grained particles of
sediment and soil. Weathering is the result of the interactions of air, water, and temperature on rocks and
prepares the rock for erosion.
Erosion

Erosion is the movement of the particles by ice, wind, or water. The particles are then transported by that
agent until they are deposited to form sedimentary deposits, which can be later eroded again or transformed
into sedimentary rocks.

Types of weathering
There are two kinds of weathering: mechanical and chemical
1. Physical weathering
physical weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by external conditions,
such as the freezing of water in cracks in the rock.
2. Chemical weathering
Chemical weathering occurs when air and water chemically react with rock to alter its composition and mineral
content. Also it involves the interaction of rock with mineral solutions (chemicals).Chemical weathering is
enhanced by such geological agents as the presence of water and oxygen, as well as biological agents as the
acids produced by microbial and plant root. The most important processes of chemical weathering are
dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation.
Soils
The layers of weathered particles of earth material that contain organic matter and can support vegetation are
defined as soil. Soil can be all or just part of the sedimentary material that covers the bedrock. Soil commonly
consists of sand, silt, clay, and organic material. The most fertile soils contain a mixture of sand, clay, and silt as
well as abundant amounts of organic matter. Such a mixture is called loam.
Soil profiles
A typical mature soil consists of several layers called soil horizons. The uppermost layer is called the O
horizon, named for its Organic component. This layer consists mostly of litter and humus with a small
proportion of minerals.
The next layer down, called the A horizon, is a mixture of humus, sand, silt, and clay. The combined O and A
horizons are called topsoil. The third layer, the B horizon or subsoil, is a transitional zone between topsoil and
weathered parent rock below. Roots and other organic material occur in the B horizon, but the total amount of
organic matter is low. The lowest layer, called the C horizon, consists of partially weathered rocks that grade
into unweathered parent rock. This zone contains little organic matter. A horizon is the zone of leaching, and
the B horizon is the zone of accumulation.
 Practice
TASK 1: choose the option which best completes each item.
1. Breaking down or dissolving of rocks and minerals on Earth's surface is known as…….
Smelting weathering fermentation
2. In which process the rock and upper layer soil particles are worn away and moved elsewhere by water and
wind?
Smelting weathering erosion
3. Rocks are fragmented by……
Contact Forces Normal Force physical force

TASK 2: Complete the paragraph below about the weathering of rocks by using the given terms:
chemical biological animals water weathering small temperature
Rocks on or close to the surface are exposed to air, ________________, changes in temperature, as well as
animal and plant action. These weather the rocks until they are broken down into _______________ pieces and
carried away. This process is called _______________. There are various methods how this can happen. It can
take place due to physical weathering, when there are continuous changes in _____________ or because of
chemical weathering, when rocks are broken down due to ______________ changes, usually with the help of
water. The roots of trees and plants as well as burrowing _______________, help the process of weathering.
This latter process is known as ______________ weathering.

Task03: According to the passage, which of the following statements are “true” or “false and
correct the false one

1. The lowermost layer of soil horizon is called the O horizon.

………………………………………………………………………….

2. Loam is a fertile soil.

………………………………………………………………………….

3. B horizon, is a mixture of humus, sand, silt, and clay.

………………………………………………………………………….

4. Chemical weathering occurs when air and water chemically react with rock to keep its composition and
mineral content
………………………………………………………………………….

5. A and B horizons are called topsoil.

………………………………………………………………………….
Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina

Module: English Language

GROUND WATER

Origin of ground water

Much of the rain that falls on land seeps into soil and bedrock to become ground water. More than 90

percent of the liquid fresh water available on or near the earth's surface is groundwater. Hot groundwater can

also be a source of energy. Groundwater is derived from rain and melting snow that percolate downward

from the surface. The process of percolation is called infiltration. Most ground water moves slowly, about

4 centimeters per day.

Characteristics of ground water

In the upper few kilometers of the Earth, bedrock and soil contain small cracks and voids that are filled with

air or ground water. The proportional volume of these open spaces is called the porosity of rock or soil. The

porosity of sand and gravel is typically high, 40 percent or higher. Porosity indicates the amount of water

that rock or soil can hold. In contrast, permeability is the ability of rock or soil to transmit water (or any

other fluid). Ground water saturates the upper few kilometers of soil and bedrock to a level called the water

table. The rock and soil in which all the open spaces are filled with water is called the saturated (or

saturation) zone. The water table is the top of the zone of saturation. Above the water table lies the

unsaturated zone, or zone of aeration. In this layer, the rock or soil may be moist but not saturated. An

aquifer is a body of rock that can provide economically significant quantities of water. If you dig into the

unsaturated zone, the hole does not fill with water. However, if you dig below the water table into the zone

of saturation, you have dug a well, and the water level in a well is at the level of the water table.

TASK01: According to the passage, which of the following statements are “true” or

“false”?

1. The saturated zone lies above the water table

…………………………………………………….
2. Subsidence formed due to excessive removal of ground water.

……………………………………………………………………

3. The proportion of rock or soil that consists of open space called permeability

………………………………………………………………………………….

4. What is the effect of excessive removal of ground water?

a) cone of depression b) subsidence of the land c) salt-water intrusion d) all answers

TASK02: match each technical word with its definition

Explode (verb)  blowing up; breaking into pieces

Exploding (noun)  in an explosive manner
Explosive (adjective)  blow up
Explosively (adverb)  act of exploding
Explosion (noun)  responsible to blow up

TASK03: read the following passage carefully then fill in the gaps with the words in the box
A water well is a hole or ……..…., usually vertical, excavated in the ………..… for bringing ground water

to the …………... Occasionally wells serve purposes, such as for…………….. exploration and observation,

artificial recharge, and disposal of ……………. or industrial wastes. Many methods exist for constructing

………….….; selection of a particular method depends upon the purpose of the water ………….., the

quantity of water required, depth to ground water, geologic …………..…., and economic factors. Shallow

wells are dug, bored, driven, or jetted and deep wells are drilled by the cable tool, …….... rotary, or

reverse rotary methods. After a deep well is drilled, it should be completed and developed for ………..

yield and tested before installing a pump.

shaft surface earth sewage subsurface wells supply

conditions optimum hydraulic

Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina
Module: English Language

Adjectives and adverbs

1. Sample sentences
Rand aims to develop new products and the means to produce them cheaply. Qualitative
research investigates current product positioning; and why customers currently use a particular
product. A coal field is an area containing significant coal deposits; the deposits in this coal field
have been significantly reduced in recent years.
2. Form
Adjectives and adverbs are grammatical units. here are some typical adjective endings and
adjective forms:
-ate-ite accurate ic scientific
-ful harmful ous dangerous
-aI/-iai artificial ing mining
-ive active ed finished
-able/ible renewable ant/ent transparent

2. Other adjectives, particularly short ones, do not have special endings

Bad / big / Good /old / Small / young

3. Most adverbs are formed by adding-ly to the adjective

adjectíves harmful active Scientific dangerous transparent artificial

adverbs harmfully actively Scientifically dangerously transparently Artificially

4. Some adjectives have the same form as adverbs: early . fast . hard . late . straight
A cage provides fast access to the mine. (adjective)
The cage raises and lowers miners fast. (adverb)
Uses
We use an adjective We use an adverbs

- to give more information about a noun We carry out 1. to give more information about a verb
pure research. [ adjective] [noun]
What type of research? Pure research
- after the verb to be
All research is scientific
The miners reached the surface safely.
[verb] [ adverb]
How did they reach the surface? Safely
2. to give more information about an adjective
The mine is extremely dangerous.
[ adverb] [adjective]
How dangerous is the mine? Extremely
3. to give more information about an adverb
Miners work very hard.
[adverb] [adverb]
4. to give more information about a sentence
Firstly, 1'11present the coal cutting equipment
Second Year: Applied Geology Teacher: Merazka Sabrina
Module: English Language

Earthquakes
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden motion or shaking of the Earth caused by the sudden release of energy that is
stored in rocks. Most earthquakes are associated with rock movements along faults below the surface of the
earth. Because of friction and high confining pressure, the fault blocks don't move until the tectonic stress
becomes great enough to overcome the frictional force.
Earthquakes may also result according to the Elastic rebound theory. It is
an explanation for how energy is spread during earthquakes and refers to
what happens to the rocks on both sides of a fault during an earthquake.
Both sides are thought to be stuck, slowly distorting and building up
energy. When a sudden impact happens, the built up energy is released and
the tectonic plates exhibit their elastic properties and they snap back to their
original form. The elastic rebound that the tectonic plates undergo releases
the energy that produces seismic waves, which are waves produced by the
sudden movement of Earth's materials.

Task 01: fill in the following table with the appropriate words
Words Synonyms Antonyms
suddenly
revert
response
inward
first
increment

TASK02: match each technical word with its definition

Technical words Definitions
Seismic (adjective)  Study of earthquakes and the nature of the Earth’s interior based
on evidence from seismic waves.
Seismicity (noun)  one who studies earthquakes and related phenomena
Seismology (noun)  caused by an earthquake or pertaining to an earthquake
Seismologist (noun)  frequency and geographical distribution of earthquakes
 Seismologic/Seismological(adj)  in a seismic manner
Seismogram (noun)  seismograph which measures ground movement caused by
earthquakes
Seismograph (noun)  instrument for measuring and recording vibrations of earthquakes
Seismometer (noun)  pertaining to the study of earthquakes and related phenomena
Seismically (adverb)  visual record of earthquakes and seismic activity

TASK03: fill in the blanks with the appropriate technical words from the table above

1. Antarctica has low ......................... and few active volcanoes.

2. Iran is a highly ......................... country where numerous earthquakes occur.
3. The measurement of seismic waves is fundamental to .........................
4. ......................... specifically designed for measuring the strong ground motion near the source of an
earthquake are called accelerographs.
5. A century ago, instrumental ......................... began to reveal the internal structure of Earth.
6. After Bam earthquake of 26 December 2003, ......................... aspects of Bam fault have been studied by
many .........................
7. The Earth’s crust is characterized by an upper ......................... active zone.
8. The arrival times of ......................... waves at ......................... at different sites are first used to find the
location of an earthquake.

TASK 03: Fill in the blanks with the following words:

“movements”, “severe”, “strength”, “plates”, “rock”, “waves
A sudden violent movement of the Earth’s surface. Many earthquakes are relatively
gentle, but the ……….………. ones that cause great damage are caused by ……….……….
of the Earth’s crust. Geologists have discovered that under the continents and oceans the
Earth’s crust is made up of a number of sheets of ……….……….
called ……….………. which can rub against each other or pull apart, creating the shock
waves that form the earthquake. The ………………. of the ………………. is measured on
the Richter Scale and severe earthquakes where registered between 7 and 9 on the scale.