lopolith: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low frequency (Technical term)Technical/scientific (Geology)
Quick answer
What does “lopolith” mean?
A large, saucer-shaped igneous intrusion that has sagged downwards, forming a shallow basin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, saucer-shaped igneous intrusion that has sagged downwards, forming a shallow basin.
In geology, a concordant pluton with a flat floor and a shallowly convex or sometimes flat top, typically resulting from the emplacement of magma between layers of sedimentary rock, causing the overlying strata to sag. It is distinguished from a laccolith by its basin-like, rather than dome-like, shape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English in geological literature.
Connotations
None beyond its precise scientific definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “lopolith” in a Sentence
The [Geological Name] lopolith is located in...A lopolith formed [time period] when...The intrusion is interpreted as a lopolith.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lopolith” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lopolithic structure is clearly visible in the cross-section.
- Lopolithic intrusions are a key feature of the region.
American English
- Lopolithic structures indicate a specific emplacement mechanism.
- The map shows the lopolithic body in detail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in geological research papers, textbooks, and specialised courses in petrology and structural geology.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term within the sub-discipline of igneous petrology and structural geology for describing specific intrusive body geometries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lopolith”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lopolith”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lopolith”
- Confusing it with a 'laccolith'. Misspelling as 'lapolith' or 'lopolth'. Using it outside a geological context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used only in geology, specifically in petrology and the study of igneous intrusions.
Its saucer or shallow basin shape, as if the layered rock above has sagged into the intruding magma body.
The Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa contains sections considered to be lopolithic in form, particularly the Rustenburg Layered Suite.
It derives from the Greek words 'lopas' meaning 'basin' or 'shallow dish', and 'lithos' meaning 'stone' or 'rock'.
A large, saucer-shaped igneous intrusion that has sagged downwards, forming a shallow basin.
Lopolith is usually technical/scientific (geology) in register.
Lopolith: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒpəlɪθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːpəlɪθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant, heavy spoon (LOpel) of magma pressing down into layered rock, creating a sagging, basin-like shape (LITH for rock). A 'lopsided' or 'low' pluton.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SAUCER embedded in rock; a SAGGING BOWL of solidified magma.
Practice
Quiz
How does a lopolith primarily differ from a laccolith?