Dolomitization

/ˌdɒləmɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The geological process by which limestone and other carbonate rocks are chemically transformed into dolomite through the action of magnesium-rich fluids.

Etymology

From dolomite + -ization (American suffix); a 20th-century geological term for the mineral transformation process.

Kelly Says

Dolomitization is one of geology's great unsolved mysteries—we know it happens in ancient rocks, but we can barely recreate it in labs, making it harder to find new oil deposits.

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