"Planetary geology, alternatively known as astrogeology or exogeology, is a planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of celestial bodies such as planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites."
The study of how the surfaces of planets and moons are shaped by natural processes such as erosion, weathering, and wind.
Impact cratering: The study of how the impact of extraterrestrial objects affects the surfaces of planets and moons.
Geological mapping: The process of creating maps of the surface features and materials of planets and moons.
Erosion: The process by which surface materials are worn away by wind, water, ice, or other agents.
Volcanism: The study of the formation and activity of volcanoes on planetary surfaces.
Tectonics: The study of the movement and deformation of the crust of a planet or moon.
Atmospheric processes: The study of the interactions between the atmosphere and the surface materials of a planet or moon.
Sedimentology: The study of the properties and origins of sedimentary rocks on planetary surfaces.
Geomorphology: The study of the shapes and forms of landforms on planetary surfaces.
Planetary evolution: The study of how planetary surfaces have changed over time due to various processes.
Astrobiology: The study of the origin and evolution of life on planetary surfaces.
Impact cratering: The formation of craters on planetary surfaces by the impact of meteoroids, asteroids, or comets.
Volcanism: The eruption of lava, ash, gas, or other volcanic materials from planetary surfaces.
Erosion: The gradual wearing away or breaking down of planetary surfaces by physical or chemical weathering.
Tectonism: The deformation of a planetary surface due to the movement of lithospheric plates or other geological processes.
Aeolian processes: The movement of particles by wind, including the formation of sand dunes and other wind-eroded landforms.
Fluvial processes: The erosion and deposition of sediment by flowing water, including the formation of river valleys, deltas, and alluvial fans.
Mass wasting: The movement of rock and soil downhill due to gravity, including landslides, rockfalls, and avalanches.
Glaciation: The formation, movement, and melting of glaciers on planetary surfaces.
Chemical weathering: The breakdown of rock and mineral materials due to chemical reactions.
Biogenic processes: The actions of living organisms on planetary surfaces, including the formation of soil, the growth of coral reefs, and the deposition of shells and other organic materials.
"Although the geo- prefix typically indicates topics of or relating to Earth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons; due to the types of investigations involved, it is closely linked with Earth-based geology."
"These investigations are centered around the composition, structure, processes, and history of a celestial body."
"Planetary geology includes such topics as determining the properties and processes of the internal structure of the terrestrial planets, and also looks at planetary volcanism..."
"...and surface processes such as impact craters, fluvial and aeolian processes."
"The structures and compositions of the giant planets and their moons are also examined, as is the make-up of the minor bodies of the Solar System, such as asteroids, the Kuiper belt, and comets."
"Planetary geology largely applies concepts within the geosciences to planetary bodies in the broadest sense, includes applications derived from fields in the geological sciences, such as geophysics and geochemistry."
"Determining the properties and processes of the internal structure of the terrestrial planets..."
"...and also looks at planetary volcanism..."
"...surface processes such as impact craters, fluvial and aeolian processes."
"The structures and compositions of the giant planets and their moons are also examined..."
"...as is the make-up of the minor bodies of the Solar System, such as asteroids, the Kuiper belt, and comets."
"Planetary geology largely applies concepts within the geosciences to planetary bodies in the broadest sense..."
"...includes applications derived from fields in the geological sciences, such as geophysics and geochemistry."
"Planetary geology, alternatively known as astrogeology or exogeology, is a planetary science discipline concerned with the geology of celestial bodies such as planets and their moons, asteroids, comets, and meteorites."
"Planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons; due to the types of investigations involved, it is closely linked with Earth-based geology."
"These investigations are centered around the composition, structure, processes, and history of a celestial body."
"Planetary geology includes such topics as determining the properties and processes of the internal structure of the terrestrial planets..."
"...composition, structure, processes, and history of a celestial body... asteroids, comets, and meteorites."
"Planetary geology largely applies concepts within the geosciences to planetary bodies in the broadest sense, includes applications derived from fields in the geological sciences..."