duricrust

views updated May 08 2018

duricrust Deposit of the weathering zone, especially in subtropical environments, which may ultimately develop into a hardened mass. A range of types occurs, each distinguished by a dominant mineral: ferricrete and alcrete are dominated by sesquioxides of iron and aluminium respectively; silcrete by silica; and calcrete (caliche) by calcium carbonate.

duricrust

views updated Jun 11 2018

duricrust A weathered soil deposit, found especially in subtropical environments, which may ultimately develop into a hardened mass. A range of types occurs, each distinguished by a dominant mineral. Ferricrete and alcrete are dominated by sesquioxides of iron and aluminium respectively, silcrete by silica, and caliche (calcrete) by calcium carbonate. See also duripan.

duricrust

views updated May 23 2018

duricrust A weathered soil deposit, found especially in subtropical environments, which may ultimately develop into a hardened mass. A range of types occurs, each distinguished by a dominant mineral. Ferricrete and alcrete are dominated by sesquioxides of iron and aluminium respectively, silcrete by silica, and caliche (calcrete) by calcium carbonate. See also DURIPAN.