Pronunciation: [ˈɪnliə] (IPA) 
The word "inlier" is spelled with the pattern "in-" as a prefix followed by the root word "lier". The pronunciation is /ˈɪnlaɪər/ with the stress on the second syllable. The phonetic transcription shows that there is a long "i" sound as well as a slight vowel shift between the two syllables. An inlier is a geological term used to describe a rock formation that is surrounded by older rock layers, often found in mountainous regions.
An inlier is a geological term that refers to a location where older rocks or geological formations are exposed within a larger area dominated by younger rocks. In simple terms, an inlier is an isolated outcrop of older rock surrounded by younger sedimentary or volcanic material. This term is often used in the field of geology and earth sciences.
Inliers play a crucial role in understanding the geological history of an area. They provide valuable insights into the past geological processes and can help geologists determine the sequence of events that have occurred over time. By studying the different rock formations found in an inlier, scientists can infer the geological history, including periods of uplift, erosion, and deposition.
Inliers are often associated with tectonic features such as faults and folds. The exposure of the older rocks in an inlier is generally attributed to erosion or tectonic forces that have brought the older rocks to the surface. This contrast between the older and younger rocks can provide important information about the geological evolution of a region.
In summary, an inlier is a geological term that describes a small area where older rocks are exposed within a larger area dominated by younger rocks. Its significance lies in understanding the geological history of an area and deciphering past geological processes.
In geol., the converse of outlier; a space occupied by one formation, which is completely surrounded by another that rests upon it.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "inlier" has its etymology rooted in the combination of the prefix "in-" and the noun "lier".
The prefix "in-" means "in" or "within", indicating that the word refers to something within or inside a given area.
The noun "lier" derives from the Middle English word "liere", which meant "a lying or remaining". Over time, this word evolved into "liar" in modern English, but it also retained the meaning of something remaining or lying in a particular place.
Therefore, the term "inlier" combines these elements to refer to something that lies or remains within a specific geographic area or geological formation. In geology, an inlier is a mass of older rock that has been exposed within a younger rock formation due to erosion or other geological processes.
