surficial

[ ser-fish-uhl ]

adjective

of or relating to a surface, especially the land surface: a surficial geologic deposit.

Origin of surficial

1890–95; blend of surface and superficial

surficial, sur-fish′al, adj. formed on the surface, as opposed to Subterranean.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) | Various
My foot-rule, my rough scale plans and piled-up figures of cubic capacity and surficial area carried all before them.
A Floating Home | Cyril Ionides
The very use of the terms "secondary" and "primary" has suggested antithesis between surficial and deep ores.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith
Mineral deposits of the "igneous after-effect" type may be profoundly altered through surficial agencies.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith
The zinc oxide minerals in the surficial zone also are sometimes colored yellow by small amounts of greenockite.
The Economic Aspect of Geology | C. K. Leith

Browse