surficial
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of surficial
1890–95; blend of surface and superficial
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Deep and intense weathering of soils and mineral deposits exposed at the surface can result in the formation of surficial deposits.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2017
Groundwater slowly moves through the rock and surficial materials.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
On the whole, minerals of this mechanically deposited group are not greatly affected by later surficial alteration and concentration, because, having already been subjected to weathering, they are in a condition to resist such influences.
From The Economic Aspect of Geology by C. K. (Charles Kenneth) Leith
The phase of metamorphism dealing with surficial weathering, similar changes below the surface, and the formation of sediments, is called katamorphism or destructive change.
From The Economic Aspect of Geology by C. K. (Charles Kenneth) Leith
Mineral deposits of direct magmatic segregation are seldom much affected by surficial alteration, perhaps because of their coarse crystallization and their intermingling with resistant crystalline rocks.
From The Economic Aspect of Geology by C. K. (Charles Kenneth) Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
