2. Cavern  Definition: (noun) A large cave  There are a lot of caves and really deep caverns in Virginia.

3. geologist  Sounds like my little budding geologist might be a chemist instead! Definition: (noun) A scientist who studies Earth’s layers of soil and rock

4. Magma  Then the magma from a volcano deep underground turned it into granite. Definition: (noun) Melted rock found beneath Earth’s surface

5. Meteorite  I’ve seen meteorites before. Those are the only rocks that come from space, and they look like tiny chunks of metal. Definition: (noun) A remaining part of a meteor that has fallen to Earth

6. mineral  Any geologist-in- training knows that igneous rocks like granite were forged from molten lava, but I never knew the minerals inside them came from stars! Definition: (noun) A substance found in nature that is not an animal or a plant

7. igneous  Any geologist-in- training knows that igneous rocks like granite were forged from molten lava, but I never knew the minerals inside them came from stars! Rock formed through the cooling and solidifying of magma or lava

8. metamorphic  Before I can tell her that I sort them out by type (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), and then color, and then size, and then hardness, Vince Higgins sticks his head between us and says in a sing-song voice, “Rock Boy’s got a girlfriend!” Definition: (adjective) A rock that changes due to extreme heat or pressure

9. Sedimentary  Before I can tell her that I sort them out by type (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary), and then color, and then size, and then hardness, Vince Higgins sticks his head between us and says in a sing-song voice, “Rock Boy’s got a girlfriend!” Definition: (adjective) Rock formed by depositing of sedimentation on Earth and within the waters

10. geode  Definition: (noun) A round rock that contains a hollow cavity filled with crystals  We’re hunting for geodes in the valley on the other side of this fence.