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glauconite

glauconite

9.9
A green mineral found in sand and rocks that shows an area was once underwater
  • noun
  • /ˈɡlɔːkəˌnaɪt/
  • Specialized
: glauconita
  • The presence of glauconite gives the sandstone its characteristic green color.

Examples

  • The soil sample contained traces of glauconite, indicating it was once part of a shallow sea.

  • The glauconite layers were visible in the rock formation.

  • Geologists often study deposits of glauconite to understand ancient marine environments.

  • Wow! Look at this beautiful glauconite specimen!

  • Geologists often study deposits of glauconite to understand ancient marine environments.

  • The presence of glauconite gives the sandstone its characteristic green color.

  • The soil sample contained traces of glauconite, indicating it was once part of a shallow sea.

Surface Forms

glauconite singular
glauconites plural

Morphology

glauconite = glaucous (opaque) = glaucon + ite

Although '-ite' marks a mineral, the combining form 'glaucon-' (bluish-green) is rare and not known to most learners, so the meaning is not predictable from parts.

Etymology

Glauconite starts with glauc-, from an old Greek word meaning 'blue-green' or 'pale green'. That's why glauconite is a green mineral often found in green sand and used by geologists to tell us about ancient seas.