Saprolite

Saprolite ( ancient Greek σαπρός sapros " foul " and ancient Greek λίθος líthos "stone" ), and saprolite, is the name for an originally siliceous rock which under humid conditions (eg tropical areas) is profound chemically weathered. It is usually soft or friable and shows as autochthonous ( unrearranged ) weathering formation nor the structure of the parent rock.

Saprolithe in addition resistant minerals from the parent rock, especially quartz, high proportions of kaolinite, which has formed in particular in the chemical weathering of primary minerals feldspar. More intense weathering, which goes beyond the Saprolithstadium, leads to the formation of laterite above the saprolite. Both are to be regarded as Residualgesteine ​​that belong to the group of sedimentary rocks.

The saprolite is not to be confused with a Sapropelit which arises when a sapropel is lithifiziert.