Pisolite is a geological term referring to a rock made up of rounded grains or "pisoliths" that are between 2 and 5 millimeters in diameter. The spelling of Pisolite is pronounced /ˈpaɪsəlaɪt/, with the first syllable being pronounced like the word "pie". It comes from the Latin word "pīsō" meaning pea, denoting the size of the grains that make up the rock. The term is often used to describe sedimentary rocks that have formed in shallow marine environments.
Pisolite is a geological term that refers to a sedimentary rock composed of small spherical or pea-shaped concretions, known as pisolites, which are typically less than 2 millimeters in diameter. These concretions form when successive layers of minerals or rock material accumulate around a central nucleus, such as a sand grain or shell fragment, through a process called cementation.
The pisolites in pisolite rocks are typically composed of minerals like calcite, silica, iron oxides, or phosphate minerals. The specific composition depends on the environment in which the rock formed. Pisolites can be found in various geological settings, such as lake or shallow-marine environments, where they often accumulate on the seafloor or lakebed.
Pisolite rocks have a distinctive appearance, characterized by a granular texture with numerous rounded concretions evenly distributed within the matrix. The concretions are typically well-cemented, giving the rock a hard and durable nature.
Pisolite rocks have various applications in construction and other industries. They are commonly used as a decorative stone in landscaping or as an aggregate in concrete and asphalt. The high cementation within pisolite rocks makes them suitable for applications that require durability, such as road construction or building facades.
Overall, pisolite refers to a type of sedimentary rock characterized by the presence of small spherical concretions, which are formed through the accumulation and cementation of minerals or rock material around a central nucleus.
A mineral substance or stone-concretion, found in globules like peas; still smaller ones are called roe-stones or oolites.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Pisolite" is derived from the Latin word "pisum", meaning "pea". It is combined with the suffix "-lite", indicating a kind of rock or mineral.