regolith

Meaning

The layer of loose rock, dust, sand, and soil, resting on the bedrock, that constitutes the surface layer of most dry land on Earth, the Moon, and other large solid aggregated celestial objects. Submarine regolith also exists.

Synonyms

mantle rock

overburden

fragmented debris layer

weathered zone

weathered layer

zone of weathering

mantle

Translations

régolithe

regolito

régolite

Regolith

regolitos

residuos meteóricos

الثرى

regolito

lockere Bodenschicht

altérite

surface fragmentée

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹɛɡəlɪθ/

Etymology

Irregular formation from Ancient Greek ῥῆγος (rhêgos, “rug, blanket”) + -lith (from λίθος (líthos, “stone”)).