saprolite

views updated May 08 2018

saprolite Chemically rotted rock in situ. The term is often applied to the lower portion of a weathering profile. The saprolite on granite is locally called ‘grus’ or ‘growan’, although the latter term may include material broken down by mechanical weathering. Compare REGOLITH.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

saprolite

views updated May 29 2018

saprolite Chemically rotted rock in situ; often the lower portion of a weathering profile. The saprolite on granite is locally called ‘grus’ or ‘growan’, although the latter term may include material broken down by mechanical weathering. Compare regolith.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY