spilite
/ˈspʌɪlʌɪt
/ /ˈspɪlʌɪt/noun [mass noun] Geology
An altered form of basalt, rich in albite and commonly amygdaloidal in texture, typical of basaltic lava solidified under water: [mass noun]: spilite occurs in pillow lavas [count noun]: the spilites in the Llanelwedd quarry
Derivatives
spilitic
- We saw spilitic vesicular basalts and rhyolites at Giants Cave.
- As will be shown in the mineralogy section of this paper, the spilitic rocks are characterised by fresh augite, albitic feldspar, and an abundant development of epidote and pumpellyite.
- The spilitic basalt associated with chert found in the vicinity of Rio Tuba belongs to the sediments of this period.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French spillite, from Greek spilos 'spot, stain'.