Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

A bioclast is a fragment found in sedimentary rock that originates from biological sources. These fragments can include shell pieces or fossils. The term "bioclastic" describes rock or material formed through the actions of living organisms. For example, consolidated muds from coral reefs can be considered bioclastic substances. Bioliths are sediments created from the remains of organisms or by their physiological activities, and they can sometimes be recognized as fossilized plants or animals.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. bioclast
  2. bioclastic
  3. biolith

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.