calc-tufa

9.9

A soft porous rock formed when spring water rich in calcium leaves mineral layers

noun

Specialized

: calcitufa

Scientists studied the formation of calc-tufa around the mineral springs.

Examples

The ancient bridge was built from locally quarried calc-tufa.
Over centuries, calc-tufa deposits have created unique cave formations in the region.
Look at the beautiful calc-tufas along the riverbank!
Wow, that calc-tufa is amazing!
Over centuries, calc-tufa deposits have created unique cave formations in the region.
Scientists studied the formation of calc-tufa around the mineral springs.
The ancient bridge was built from locally quarried calc-tufa.

Synonyms

tufa

vscalc-tufa

Specialized

1 9.9

A soft rock full of small holes formed when spring water leaves mineral deposits

has identical meaning but is written as a more technical compound term

Surface Forms

calc-tufa singular

calc-tufas plural

Morphology

calc-tufa = tufa (semi-transparent) = calc + tufa

The formation is literally 'calc-' (calcium-related) + 'tufa', but 'calc-' is a technical combining form rather than a common standalone word, so the meaning is clear to specialists but not to average learners.

Etymology

The word calc-tufa has two parts: calc- from Latin 'calx' meaning 'lime', like in calcium, and tufa meaning a soft rock full of small holes. So calc-tufa literally means 'lime rock' formed by spring water that carries lime, which explains why it is a soft, porous rock made from calcium deposits.