Definition of duricrust in English:
duricrust
noun ˈdjʊərɪkrʌstˈd(j)ʊrəˌkrəst
Geology A hard mineral crust formed at or near the surface of soil in semi-arid regions by the evaporation of groundwater.
resistant bedrock or duricrusts appear at the surface
mass noun he crunched over concrete and then duricrust
Example sentencesExamples
- The Molopo River was sampled by first removing the duricrust and then sampling the underlying sediments.
- Due to the scarceness of datable sediments saprolites and duricrusts were widely used as defining features.
- This duricrust has hindered mineral exploration, beyond the valley floors, for the past 70 years.
- A resistant rock cap such as a hard sandstone or a duricrust is one possibility.
- The more water soluble duricrusts, such as calcrete and gypcrete, can have solution holes or pits.
Origin
1920s: from Latin durus 'hard' + crust.
Definition of duricrust in US English:
duricrust
nounˈd(y)o͝orəˌkrəstˈd(j)ʊrəˌkrəst
Geology A hard mineral crust formed at or near the surface of soil in semiarid regions by the evaporation of groundwater.
resistant bedrock or duricrusts appear at the surface
mass noun he crunched over concrete and then duricrust
Example sentencesExamples
- This duricrust has hindered mineral exploration, beyond the valley floors, for the past 70 years.
- A resistant rock cap such as a hard sandstone or a duricrust is one possibility.
- Due to the scarceness of datable sediments saprolites and duricrusts were widely used as defining features.
- The Molopo River was sampled by first removing the duricrust and then sampling the underlying sediments.
- The more water soluble duricrusts, such as calcrete and gypcrete, can have solution holes or pits.
Origin
1920s: from Latin durus ‘hard’ + crust.