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Regolith, Terrestrial

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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology

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Synonyms

Laterites; Soil

Definition

The terrestrial regolith (ῥῆγος = rhegos = blanket; λίθος = lithos = rock) is a layer of unconsolidated material overlying solid rock. It forms as a result of mechanical and chemical weathering, biological processes, deposition of loose material, or brecciation of rock. It may consist of soil, alluvium, and other sedimentary deposits; fractured and oxidized rock; and volcanic ash or scoria. Its thickness varies from negligible to several hundred meters. Regoliths have been observed on Earth, Moon, some asteroids, and other planets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maison des Géosciences, LGCA, Université J. Fourier, St-Martin d’Héres, France

    Nicholas Arndt

Authors
  1. Nicholas Arndt
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Correspondence to Nicholas Arndt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Labo. d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB), Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers (OASU), Floirac CX, France

    Muriel Gargaud

  2. Astronomy Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

    William M. Irvine

  3. Centro de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Amils

  4. Geophysical Lab., Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC, USA

    Henderson James Cleaves

  5. Dépt. Sc. de la Terre et de l’Atmosphère, Université du Québec, Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Daniele Pinti

  6. Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), Inst. Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain

    José Cernicharo Quintanilla

  7. Centre National d'Etudes Spatiale (CNES) DPI/E2U, Paris CX, France

    Michel Viso

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Arndt, N. (2021). Regolith, Terrestrial. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1365-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1365-4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-27833-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Regolith, Terrestrial
    Published:
    19 November 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1365-4

  2. Original

    Regolith, Terrestrial
    Published:
    04 May 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1365-3

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