saprolite
Quick Summary
Saprolite is disintegrated rock that remains in its original location. It is a geological term referring to weathered rock that has broken down but has not been transported away. This material is often found beneath the surface soil and is a product of the weathering process acting on the underlying bedrock.1
The term "saprolite" is distinct from "sapropel," which is an unconsolidated sedimentary deposit rich in bituminous substances, often forming oil shale or boghead coal when consolidated. Sapropelite is a type of coal or oil shale derived from sapropel.23
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.
