WORDS

MEANING

Dams

A barrier constructed to hold back water

and raise its level, the resulting reservoir
being used in the generation of electricity
or as a water supply.
The dam raised the water level by 54 feet
and created a three-mile-long reservoir
holding around 9,000 million gallons.

Slope

A surface of which one end or side is at a

higher level than another; a rising or falling
surface.
He slithered helplessly down the slope

Velocity

The speed of something in a given

direction.
The velocities of the emitted particles"
See also

Tectonic

Of or relating to the structure of the earth's

crust and the large-scale processes that
take place within it.
"In this paper, we discuss the tectonic
settings and magmatic processes which
allow these magmas to reach the surface.

Erosion

The process of eroding or being

eroded by wind, water, or other
natural agents.
The problem of soil erosion

WORDS
Bulge

MEANING
A rounded swelling or protuberance that
distorts a flat surface.
The rounded bulge of its roof was
visible above the dry-stone dyke.

Ancillary

Providing necessary support to the primary

activities or operation of an organization,
institution, industry, or system.
The development of ancillary
services to support its products .

Creek

A stream, brook, or minor tributary of a

river.
They rested by a small creek running
through the woods that had started to
become more profuse. "

Jamb

A side post or surface of a doorway,

window, or fireplace.
Salvaged doors and windows housed
in new jambs set up contrasts
between new and old.

Debris

Scattered fragments, typically of

something wrecked or destroyed.
The bomb hits it, showering debris
from all sides.

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Rumbling

MEANING
A continuous deep, resonant sound.
The rumbling of wheels in the
distance.

Boulder

A large rock, typically one that has been

worn smooth by erosion.
The organisation said the most
numerous relics were rock carvings
found on boulders and outcrops.

Strand

Drive or leave (a boat, sailor, or sea

creature) aground on a shore.
The ships were stranded in shallow
water.

Massive

(of rocks or beds) having no discernible

form or structure.
Offset by the blue of sky, the
massive beds of rock stand out in
surprising colours.

Dazzling

Extremely bright, especially so as to blind

the eyes temporarily.
The sunlight was dazzling.

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Catastrophe

MEANING
An event causing great and often sudden
damage or suffering; a disaster.
A national economic catastrophe.

Significant

Sufficiently great or important to be worthy

of attention; noteworthy.
A significant increase in sales .

Mud

Soft, sticky matter resulting from the

mixing of earth and water.
It is sadly the case that deep ruts
filled with mud and water make such
journeys very hazardous.

Devastating

Highly destructive or damaging.

A devastating cyclone struck
Bangladesh .

Pyroclastic

Relating to, consisting of, or denoting

fragments of rock erupted by a volcano.
In practice pyroclastic and
volcaniclastic rocks include all the
products of extrusive volcanic activity
except lava flows.

WORDS
Glacier

MEANING
A slowly moving mass or river of ice
formed by the accumulation and
compaction of snow on mountains or near
the poles.
Above us, waterfalls tumbled down
the mountainside from glaciers that
hung over the lip of high cols.

Cultivation

The action of cultivating land, or the state

of being cultivated.
The cultivation of crops.

Blast

A destructive wave of highly compressed

air spreading outward from an explosion.
They were thrown backward by the
blast.

Colluvium

Material that accumulates at the foot of a

steep slope.
In the southern part of the valley,
the Serghaya Fault Zone follows the
mountain front juxtaposing recent
alluvium and colluvium against late
Quaternary lake sediments, Neogene
conglomerates, and Cretaceous
carbonates.

Bedrock

Solid rock underlying loose deposits such

as soil or alluvium.
Flat or slightly rolling terrain is the
rule here, and thick soil deposits
overlay Cretaceous shale
bedrock .