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national zoo
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The National Zoo occupies a 163-acre hillside campus located within Washington's Rock Creek Park. • National Zoo website — Wikipedia entry. |
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piedmont and coastal plain
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The Zoo is located within the Piedmont physiographic province, very close to the edge of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. • Piedmont: Wikipedia entry — Maryland Geological Survey discussion.• Coastal Plain: Wikipedia entry — U.S. Geological Survey discussion — Maryland Geological Survey discussion. |
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fall zone or fall line
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The Fall Zone separates the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont. • Wikipedia entry — U.S. Geological Survey discussion. |
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rock types
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We will see sedimentary deposits, as well as metamorphosed examples of several types of igneous and sedimentary rock. • Igneous Rock: Wikipedia entry — James Madison University discussion.• Gabbro: Wikipedia entry — James Madison University discussion. • Tonalite: Wikipedia entry — 1911 Encyclopedia Brittanica entry — Picture. • Sedimentary Rock: Wikipedia entry — James Madison University discussion. • Mélange: Wikipedia entry — Picture. |
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weathering
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We will see abundant evidence of weathering, erosion and deposition. • Weathering: Wikipedia entry — Picture of weathering rind.• Erosion and Deposition: Discussion. • Alluvium: Wikipedia entry. • Colluvium: Wikipedia entry — Picture. • Saprolite: Wikipedia entry — Picture. • Stream or Fluvial Terrace: Wikipedia entry. |
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introduction to plate tectonics
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Nothing in geology makes sense without plate tectonics. • U.S. Geological Survey pamphlet.• Wikipedia entry. |
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taconian or taconic orogeny
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The Piedmont bedrock originated during this geologic event. • Paleontological Research Institution discussion. (PDF)• James Madison University discussion. |
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building of coastal plain
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The Coastal Plain deposits are more recent. • Paleontological Research Institution discussion. (PDF)• James Madison University discussion. |