smectite

[ smek-tahyt ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. montmorillonite.

smectite

/ ˈsmɛktaɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of clay minerals of which montmorillonite and saponite are members

Word History and Origins

Origin of smectite¹

1805–15; < Greek smēkt ( ós ) smeared + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Ideally, researchers should confirm this by finding smectite in ancient rock layers dating back to each global cooling period.

From Science Daily

Now, the MIT team has shown that the carbon-trapping clays are a product of plate tectonics: When oceanic crust crushes against a continental plate, it can bring rocks to the surface that, over time, can weather into minerals including smectite.

From Science Daily

Over millions of years, smectite can have a global effect, helping to cool the entire planet.

From Science Daily

From these analyses, one mineral had a clear presence and effect: smectite.

From Science Daily

Looking at rocks around each of these periods, the researchers observed large spikes of nickel and chromium, and inferred from this that smectite must also have been present.

From Science Daily