The word "obolite grit" is a technical geological term that refers to a type of sedimentary rock composed of small, rounded particles. The spelling of this word is pronounced as /ˈɑbəlaɪt ɡrɪt/, with the stress on the first syllable. The word "obolite" is derived from the Greek word "obolos," meaning "a small coin," and the suffix "-ite," which is used to indicate a mineral or rock. The word "grit" is simply pronounced as /ɡrɪt/ and refers to small, coarse particles, making "obolite grit" a type of sedimentary rock with a specific composition.
Obolite grit refers to small, gravel-like particles or fragments composed of broken obolites. "Obolite" is a geological term used to describe rounded pebbles or nodules made of ironstone that are typically found in sediments or ancient rock formations. These obolites are often smooth and well-rounded due to long-term abrasion and erosion caused by natural forces such as water currents, wind, or glacial movements.
The term "grit" refers to coarse particles, usually composed of hard substances. In the context of obolite grit, it signifies the small size and coarse nature of the particles that are derived from the fragmentation and weathering of larger obolites. These gritty fragments can vary in size, ranging from tiny grains to small pebbles, depending on the specific geological process they have undergone.
Obolite grit is often found in areas of heavy erosion or in ancient sedimentary layers, where it becomes mixed with other sediments or forms distinct layers of its own. It can be composed of various minerals and rock types, but ironstone is a common component due to the presence of iron-rich minerals within obolites.
The study and analysis of obolite grit can provide valuable information about ancient geological processes, including information about the surrounding environment, such as the flow of water or patterns of deposition. Archaeologists and geologists may also use obolite grit as a tool for dating specific geological formations, as the presence or absence of certain types of obolite grit can indicate the age of a particular layer or sediments.
In geol., the Lower Silurian sandstones of Sweden and Russia-so called from the abundance of the shells of the obolus found in it.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.