Saprolite (Noun)
Meaning
A deposit of clay and disintegrating rock that is found in its original place.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The geologist carefully extracted a sample of saprolite from the hillside to study its composition and properties.
- Saprolite is a common feature of tropical landscapes, where high temperatures and rainfall accelerate the breakdown of rocks.
- The mining company was interested in extracting the valuable minerals from the saprolite deposit, but first needed to assess its economic viability.
- The saprolite layer was several meters thick and consisted of a mixture of clay, silt, and partially disintegrated rock fragments.
- In the humid climate of the region, the saprolite formed rapidly as the underlying rocks were broken down by chemical and physical weathering processes.