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physical geology
science
physical geology, scientific discipline that is concerned with all aspects of the Earth’s structure, composition, physical properties, constituent rocks and minerals, and surficial features. Accordingly, physical geology is essentially a superdiscipline that overlaps such disciplines as geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, and geomorphology (qq.v.).
This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.
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