geological phenomenon
1
5.6
- noun
- /ˌdʒiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl fəˈnɛmənən/
- This time we would like to focus our readers' attention on another amazing geological phenomenon, namely so-called growing stones.
Examples
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An Incredible Geological Phenomenon
Blog text (11) -
Barrier islands are interesting geological phenomena, waves of sand that slowly move inland in response to sea level rise.
Blog text (6) -
The name of the geological phenomenon that contains the ore is breccia pipe.
Fiction book (1993) -
At least in this damp little forest, we are not subject to another geological phenomenon that plagues the barren acreage: mudslides.
Fiction book (1992) -
The Grand Canyon is a stunning geological phenomenon that showcases millions of years of erosion.
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Volcanic eruptions are dramatic geological phenomena that can reshape landscapes within moments.
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The motion of tectonic plates is a fascinating geological phenomenon that causes earthquakes and mountain formation.
Synonyms
14
3.7
An event in nature not caused by people
3
4.4
A natural event that involves matter and energy and can be seen or measured
2
3.5
A natural change on Earth that shapes rocks and land, like erosion or volcanoes
1
4.1
A natural change that makes, changes, or destroys Earth's rocks and land
How Significant
- Specialized
2
6.1
1
5.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'geological' (relating to Earth's structure/processes) modifies 'phenomenon' (an observable event), so the phrase denotes an observable event/process related to geology. This is a regular adjective+noun construction with no idiomatic shift, and its logic is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.
Etymology
Geological phenomenon joins the words geological, which is about the Earth's rocks and ground, and phenomenon, which means a visible event. Think of a volcano or an earthquake happening in the ground, and that clear picture shows why it means 'a natural event involving the Earth's shape or parts'.