#rocks
- Areology — A branch of planetary astronomy and planetary geology that deals with the complete structural and morphological geological study of the planet Mars. This scientific discipline analyzes the chemical composition of the Martian soil, internal rock structures, topography, impact craters, volcanic evolution (such as Olympus Mons), and polar ice cap dynamics, representing the Martian equivalent of terrestrial geology.
- Argilliferous — Containing clay, yielding, or sheltering massive deposits of clay; specific to sedimentary rocks or geological strata rich in clay minerals. In a scientific and structural sense, the adjective defines the quality of soils or detrital formations (such as argilliferous sandstones or argilliferous limestones) exhibiting high plasticity and impermeability properties due to the pelitic mineral fraction within their composition.
- Arsenic — Containing arsenic, relating to arsenic, or derived from this metalloid chemical element; describes a substance, mineral composition, or solution in which arsenic is in its higher valence state. In an industrial and geological sense, the term is used to classify certain rocks, sulfurous mineral waters, or synthetic compounds with high structural toxicity, utilized in metallurgy or preservation processes.
- Astrogeology — An interdisciplinary branch of planetary science and geosciences that deals with the study of the geological structure, chemical composition, morphology, mineralogy, and evolutionary history of solid celestial bodies in the Solar System, such as terrestrial planets, their natural satellites, asteroids, comets, and meteorites. This field utilizes orbital remote sensing techniques, spectrographic analysis, and direct examination of extraterrestrial rock samples (such as lunar or Martian samples).