A6 



SALT DOME A diapir of salt that breaks through overlying rocks or 



sediment. Hydrocarbon-bearing strata are often associated with salt domes. 



SEDIMENTOLOGICAL Pertaining to the science of sedimentary rocks and 

 their formative processes. 



SEISMIC REFLECTION A geophysical method of obtaining sonic 



representations of subbottom stratification. Seismic reflection surveys are 

 performed on land and at sea. 



SELECTIVE SORTING The process in sediment transport of differential 

 response of sediment particles due to differences in size, shape, and 

 specific gravity. 



SETUP Elevation of a water surface due to onshore mass transport of water 

 by wind and waves. 



SHORE The border of a landmass with the sea. 



SHOREFACE A sloping bottom zone between the shore and the inner 

 continental shelf. 



SILICEOUS Containing silica. 



SINK A process that subtracts sand from a littoral compartment. 



SLIP FACE The steeply sloping lee side of a dune or sand wave. 



SPIT A long narrow ridge of sand usually extending from a headland parallel 

 to the general trend of the coast. 



STACK A rock column isolated offshore by coastal erosion. 



STRATIGRAPHIC Pertaining to the study of stratified rocks and sediments. 



STRIKE The orientation of the line of intersection of a bedding fault plane 

 with a horizontal plain. 



STORM SURGE A rise of water level above normal due to wind stress on 

 the water surface. 



SUBAERIAL Pertaining to the land surface as contrasted with subaqueous, 

 i.e., below the water surface. 



SUPERPOSITION A geological concept that a rock or sediment overlying 

 another layer is younger in origin, provided no structural deformation 

 exists that would reverse the sequence. 



TECTONIC Pertaining to structural movements of rock masses. 



Appendix A Glossary of Geologic Terms 



