CEFR C2

lithology

noun

Meaning

The study of the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks, particularly as they appear in hand samples or outcrops.

Examples

  • The team conducted a detailed lithology analysis of the canyon walls to understand the region's geological history.
  • Variations in lithology across the site suggest that the area was once a shallow, shifting river delta.

Synonyms: rock study, petrology, geology