Definition of breccia in English:
breccia
noun ˈbrɛtʃɪəˈbrɛtʃəˈbrɛtʃiə
mass nounGeology Rock consisting of angular fragments of stones cemented by finer calcareous material.
copious quantities of breccia
Example sentencesExamples
- A volcanic or igneous breccia forms during eruptive activities.
- It weights 751 grams and consists of breccia - sintered fragments of various minerals from lunar continents.
- Intrusive breccias can be the host for metallic ore deposits and aesthetic mineral specimens.
- In some breccia zones the rock fragments exhibit partial melting and reaction rims.
- Breccias are associated with mechanical weathering in regions of high tectonic activity.
Derivatives
verb ˈbrɛtʃɪeɪtˈbrɛ(t)ʃ(i)ˌeɪt
[with object]Geology Cause (rock) to break down into angular fragments.
many deep-water limestones have been brecciated and then recemented
Example sentencesExamples
- Fractures due to faulting were found to traverse and brecciate the fluorite and calcite in some places.
- As the impacting body forces its way into the Earth's crust, it brecciates and melts the rocks in its way.
- The explosive expansion brecciates and mixes the magmatic and sedimentary material.
noun ˌbrɛtʃɪˈeɪʃnˌbrɛ(t)ʃiˈeɪʃən
mass nounGeology The process of breaking down rock into angular fragments.
hydraulic fracturing gave rise to brecciation of the banded rocks
Example sentencesExamples
- The brecciation is probably a result of removal of evaporites from the underlying Moose River Formation.
- This would best be done by careful engineering - noting areas of brecciation and serpentinisation.
- It is composed of a silicified core and flanked by more friable sulfides showing evidence of later tectonic brecciation.
Origin
Late 18th century: from Italian, literally 'gravel', ultimately of Germanic origin and related to break1.