smectite

American  

[smek-tahyt] / ˈsmɛkˌtaɪt /

noun

Mineralogy.

1. montmorillonite.

---

smectite British  

/ ˈsmɛktaɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of clay minerals of which montmorillonite and saponite are members

---

Etymology

Origin of smectite

1805–15; < Greek smēkt ( ós ) smeared + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

MIT geologists have found that a clay mineral on the seafloor, called smectite, has a surprisingly powerful ability to sequester carbon over millions of years.

From Science Daily

From these analyses, one mineral had a clear presence and effect: smectite.

From Science Daily

In theory, smectite seemed like a solid connection between tectonics and ice ages.

From Science Daily

Ideally, researchers should confirm this by finding smectite in ancient rock layers dating back to each global cooling period.

From Science Daily

Now, the MIT team has shown that the carbon-trapping clays are a product of plate tectonics: When oceanic crust crushes against a continental plate, it can bring rocks to the surface that, over time, can weather into minerals including smectite.

From Science Daily