lithified
Became solid rock
Lithified describes sediment or organic material that has turned to stone through geological processes.
Loose sand becomes lithified sandite, ancient seabeds become lithified limestone.
The transformation typically involves compression, ceite, or chemical changes over thousands to millions of years.
The lithified remains of ancient coral reefs now form the canyon walls.
Particles settling in liquid
- compactionReducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- rockSolid earthen material
- petrifiedSolidified or fear-paralyzed
sandstone · limestone · shale · mudstone · conglomerate · strata · burial · pressure
Preserved ancient organism
- preservedKept from deterioration
- ancientVery old indeed
- specimenIndividual for examination
- remainsContinues in place
imprint · trace · organism · shell · bone · petrified · embedded · encased
Pressed into less space
- cementedFastened with lasting adhesion
- solidifiedMade firm, not fluid
- transformedFundamentally changed in nature
- convertedAltered in form or purpose
hardened · compressed · buried · heated · mineralized · bonded · fused · altered
sediment
Particles settling in liquid
- compactionReducing volume through pressure
- cementationMineral-binding of particles
- rockSolid earthen material
petrified · sandstone · limestone · shale · mudstone · conglomerate · strata · burial · pressure · mineral
fossil
Preserved ancient organism
remains · imprint · trace · organism · shell · bone · petrified · embedded · encased · mold
compacted
Pressed into less space
- cementedFastened with lasting adhesion
- solidifiedMade firm, not fluid
- transformedFundamentally changed in nature
converted · hardened · compressed · buried · heated · mineralized · bonded · fused · altered · preserved
lithifiedunconsolidated
Not unified or compacted
loose · uncemented · friable · uncompacted · soft
lithifiedweathered
Eroded by exposure
eroded · decomposed · disintegrated · degraded · broken down
monolith, lithograph, megalith, Neolithic, lithic, megalithic, batholith, lithify, Paleolithic