The plural form of epilimnia, referring to the warm surface layer of water in a stratified lake.
From Greek 'epi-' (upon) + 'limne' (lake), coined in the early 20th century by limnologists to describe the distinct thermal layer.
Lakes actually organize themselves into three layers like a cake, and the epilimnia is the sunny, warm frosting on top—but it only exists in certain seasons and only in lakes deep enough to stratify, which is why tropical lakes never have one!
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