Definition of lithify in English:
lithify
verblithified, lithifying, lithifies ˈlɪθɪfʌɪˈliTHəˌfī
[with object]Geology Transform (a sediment or other material) into stone.
these sediments are lithified to form shales, limestones, and sandstones
Example sentencesExamples
- Low-strain deformation of many natural rocks, both unlithified sediments and lithified sedimentary rocks, occurs by strain localization in dilatant joints or in shear bands that can dilate or compact.
- Stratification may be deformed penecontemporaneously by various agencies, before the rock is lithified.
- This sediment was locally lithified to form thin hard grounds, presumably at times of non-sedimentation or significantly reduced sedimentation.
- The three-dimensional preservation of pellets and fossil remains in the limestones suggests that the carbonate muds were rapidly lithified, and that the limestones record minimal time averaging.
- Another strong argument against the mammoth death-in-the-Flood hypothesis is that the Beringian animals are buried in unconsolidated surficial sediments overlying lithified sedimentary rocks.
Derivatives
noun
Geology Sometime after lithification of the soft carbonate sediment, dissolution of gypsum took place, selectively producing vast numbers of molds of gypsum nodules.
Example sentencesExamples
- He concluded that lithification of the powdery material produced the orange sinters.
- These differences could be related to variation in degree of lithification of the overburden, causing it to collapse vertically rather than with more gentle downsagging.
- An alternative mechanism involves lithification by magnesium calcite, aragonite, or dolomite brought about by the subsurface mixing of sea water with fresh waters draining from the land.
- Bands of sheared sandstone, mudstone, and conglomerate locally form broken units indicating deformation prior to full lithification of sediment, consistent with an accretionary complex origin.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Greek lithos 'stone' + -fy.