And the time needed to change bureaucratic procedures, like the time needed to create the Himalayas, is measured in geologic terms.

The mountains themselves, however, were not formed until 10 million years ago - so young in geologic terms that many scientists believe the peaks are still growing.

They are considered middle-aged in geologic terms.

In pure geologic terms, Figure Eight Lake is two lakes separated by a thin strip of land.

In geologic terms, the stream will erode down through its bed to achieve the base level of erosion throughout its course.

"It's a geologic term my wife taught me," he said during a recent interview at his publisher's offices in midtown Manhattan.

Because of this tension, they are among the world's fastest-growing mountains, in geologic terms anyway.

Currently dormant, the field is likely to erupt again with the next "hundreds to thousands of years", a very short timeframe in geologic terms.

That pace was quick, in geologic terms.

Although a young lake, in geologic terms, its surrounding volcano, Mount Tujuh, is old and not immediately obvious as such.