argilliturbation

English

Etymology

From Latin argilla (“clay”) + turbation.

Noun

argilliturbation (uncountable)

1. (geology, archaeology) A mixing process in clay rich soils subjected to cycles of wet and dry, whereby the soil expands when wet and contracts as it dries, causing soil, stones and artefacts to move up and down.
   • 1994, Jon Erlandson, Early Hunter-Gatherers of the California Coast‎^[1], page 165:

     At SBA-1807 and SBA-2061, these processes include bioturbation, argilliturbation, chemical weathering, downslope movement, natural addition of faunal remains to the midden, wildfires, trampling, grading, plowing, and discing.

   • 2005, Randall J. Schaetzl, Sharon Anderson, Soils: Genesis and Geomorphology, page 291:

     In extreme situations, argilliturbation can result in a surface stone pavement (Johnson and Hester 1972, Muhs 1982).

   • 2012, Robert L. Kelly, David Hurst Thomas, Archaeology, page 112:

     A site′s stratigraphy can become thoroughly churned if this argilliturbation process takes place over and over for hundreds or thousands of years.

Related terms

• aeroturbation, aquaturbation, bioturbation, cryoturbation, faunalturbation, floralturbation, graviturbation