diagenesis
the physical and chemical changes occurring in sediments between the times of deposition and solidification.
Origin of diagenesis
1Other words from diagenesis
- di·a·ge·net·ic [dahy-uh-juh-net-ik], /ˌdaɪ ə dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/, adjective
Words Nearby diagenesis
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British Dictionary definitions for diagenesis
/ (ˌdaɪəˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /
the sum of the physical, chemical, and biological changes that take place in sediments as they become consolidated into rocks, including compaction and cementation, but excluding weathering and metamorphic changes
chem recrystallization of a solid to form large crystal grains from smaller ones
Derived forms of diagenesis
- diagenetic (ˌdaɪədʒəˈnɛtɪk), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for diagenesis
[ dī′ə-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs ]
The process by which sediment undergoes chemical and physical changes during its lithification (conversion to rock). Compaction, leaching, cementation, and recrystallization are all forms of diagenesis. Erosion and metamorphism are not. Oil, gas, and coal form through the diagenesis of organic sedimentary matter.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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