This list includes 19 Earth science words that start with Q, from “Q (seismic quality factor)” to “Quiescent volcano”. They range from technical measurement terms to landform and volcanic descriptors useful in education, research, and fieldwork.

Earth science words that start with Q are concise terms you use to describe measurements, processes, and planetary features. For example, “quiescent volcano” names a volcano currently calm, like many studied before sudden eruptions.

Below you’ll find the table with [COLUMN_NAMES].

Term: The word or phrase; you can scan it to find vocabulary for study, writing, or labeling diagrams.

Definition: A brief, plain-language explanation that helps you understand meaning and apply the word in class or field notes.

Category: The topical group (for example “volcanology” or “seismology”) that helps you see the word’s context quickly.

Example: A short real-world or classroom instance that shows how the term appears in observations or reports.

Source: A link to deeper articles or glossary entries so you can explore the term in more depth.

Earth science words that start with Q

TermCategoryRelated termsUnits/typical measures
Quartzgeologysilica SiO2 chert sand crystaln/a
Quartzitegeologymetamorphic rock sandstone recrystallizedn/a
Quartz arenitegeologysandstone mature sand quartz grainsgrain size 0.062–2 mm
Quartz monzonitegeologyplutonic rock granitoid feldspar quartzn/a
Quartz OSLgeochronologyoptically stimulated luminescence OSL dating luminescenceyears to 100,000s years
QuaternarygeologyQuaternary period Pleistocene Holocene2.58 million years–present
Quaternary glaciationgeomorphologyice age glacial cycles morainen/a
Quaternary depositssedimentologytill loess outwash alluvium colluviumn/a
Quaternary stratigraphygeologychronostratigraphy Pleistocene Holocene stagen/a
Quasi-biennial oscillationmeteorologyQBO stratosphere equatorial windsperiod 28–29 months
Quasi-geostrophic approximationmeteorologygeostrophic balance Rossby waves synoptic scalen/a
Q (seismic quality factor)seismologyattenuation t* seismic wavesdimensionless typical 10–1,000
Qanathydrogeologyunderground tunnel kariz aquifer shaftdepth 1–50 m length up to several km
Quarrygeomorphologyopen pit mining bench spoil aggregate extractionn/a
Quicksandsoilsliquefaction pore pressure silt sand bogn/a
Quick claysoilssensitive clay landslide retrogressive failuren/a
Quenchingvolcanologyrapid cooling glassy texture obsidian>1,000°C to <500°C in seconds–minutes
Quiescent volcanovolcanologydormant inactive repose eruption potentialyears to thousands of years
Quadranglecartographytopographic map USGS map sheet indexmap scale e.g. 1:24,000

Descriptions

Quartz
Common hard mineral SiO2 abundant in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and soils.
Quartzite
Hard dense metamorphic rock formed when quartz-rich sandstone is recrystallized by heat and pressure.
Quartz arenite
A very clean sandstone composed almost entirely of quartz grains typical of long-transport or reworked sediments.
Quartz monzonite
Coarse igneous rock with roughly equal plagioclase and orthoclase plus quartz; a common granitoid composition.
Quartz OSL
Dating method using light-stimulated luminescence trapped in quartz grains to estimate time since sediment was last exposed to sunlight.
Quaternary
Most recent geological period beginning 2.58 million years ago characterized by repeated glaciations and human evolution.
Quaternary glaciation
Episodes during the Quaternary when large ice sheets expanded shaping landscapes and affecting global sea level and climate.
Quaternary deposits
Unconsolidated sediments laid down during the Quaternary including glacial and nonglacial materials that cover large land areas.
Quaternary stratigraphy
Study and correlation of rock layers and deposits formed during the Quaternary to understand past environments and ages.
Quasi-biennial oscillation
Regular reversal of zonal winds in the tropical stratosphere with a ~28–29 month period influencing global circulation.
Quasi-geostrophic approximation
Simplified atmospheric dynamics assumption used to model large-scale midlatitude flow and weather system evolution.
Q (seismic quality factor)
Measure of how much a seismic wave is attenuated in Earth; higher Q means less energy loss during propagation.
Qanat
Ancient gently sloping underground channel that taps groundwater and delivers it by gravity for irrigation and supply.
Quarry
An open excavation where rock or mineral materials are extracted, altering local landforms and drainage.
Quicksand
Saturated loose sand or silt that loses strength when disturbed, causing objects to sink due to reduced shear strength.
Quick clay
A type of marine clay that can suddenly lose strength and flow when disturbed, causing rapid landslides in cold regions.
Quenching
Rapid cooling of magma or lava that produces glassy textures and very fine crystals in volcanic rocks.
Quiescent volcano
A volcano currently quiet with no recent eruptions but still capable of future activity after a long repose.
Quadrangle
Standard map unit representing a rectangular map area used in geological and topographic mapping and reporting.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.