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geological phenomenon

geological phenomenon

1 5.6
A natural event on Earth that changes land or rocks
  • noun
  • /ˌdʒiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl fəˈnɛmənən/
translation icon : fenómeno geológico
  • This time we would like to focus our readers' attention on another amazing geological phenomenon, namely so-called growing stones.

Examples

  • 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.

  • Volcanic eruptions are dramatic geological phenomena that can reshape landscapes within moments.

  • The motion of tectonic plates is a fascinating geological phenomenon that causes earthquakes and mountain formation.

Synonyms

natural phenomenon
vsgeological phenomenon
7 3.7

An event in nature not caused by people

is limited to events or processes involving Earth's structure or composition
physical phenomenon
vsgeological phenomenon
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A natural event that involves matter and energy and can be seen or measured

focuses specifically on Earth's structure composition and physical features
geological process
vsgeological phenomenon
1 3.5

A natural change on Earth that shapes rocks and land, like erosion or volcanoes

covers events as well as these shaping processes of Earth's composition
geologic process
vsgeological phenomenon
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A natural change that makes, changes, or destroys Earth's rocks and land

includes both single events and ongoing processes affecting Earth's structure

How Significant

seismic disturbance
  • Specialized
1 6.1
geological phenomenon
1 5.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

geological + phenomenon

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'.