geology

the study of Earth's formation and structure

rock cycle

the process of rock formation and recycling

superposition

the principle that states that in layers of sedimentary rocks the lowest layers were the earliest to be deposited

relative dating

a method of sequencing events in the order in which they happened

paleontologist

a scientist who studies fossils

Pangaea

an ancient supercontinent that broke apart to form today's continents

plate tectonics

a theory that describes how the continents move

lithospheric plates

giant pieces of solid rock on Earth's surface