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aa

aa  

Volcanic lava rock that is thick and porous and has a rough, jagged surface when it cools. It is a Hawaiian word, pronounced ah‐ah.
abandoned well

abandoned well  

Any well that has not been used for a long time and/or is not properly sealed, and is so poorly maintained that it cannot be used for the purpose for which it was intended.
abatement debris

abatement debris  

Waste materials produced by remediation activities.
ablation zone

ablation zone  

The zone of a glacier in which losses through various processes, such as calving, deflation, melting, etc., exceed any addition through snowfall or accumulation of rime ice. Compare accumulation zone.
absolute chronology

absolute chronology  

A chronology that determines the age of a feature or event in years. Contrast relative chronology.
absolute humidity

absolute humidity  

The amount of water vapour in air, determined as the mass of vapour per unit mass of air, and normally given in grams per cubic metre. See also humidity; specific humidity.
absolute poverty

absolute poverty  

An extreme state of poverty, in which the standard of living is below the minimum that is needed for the maintenance of life and health. Contrast relative poverty.
absolute relief

absolute relief  

The maximum elevation of a particular area above sea level. Contrast relative relief.
absolute scarcity

absolute scarcity  

A condition that exists when there is not enough of a resource in existence to satisfy existing demand for it. Contrast relative scarcity.
absorb

absorb  

To take something in (such as the penetration of a solid substance by a liquid, by capillary, osmotic, solvent, or chemical action). In energy terms, to take in energy and then not reflect it.

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