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[threeplusfire]

batholith [n. BATH-eh-LIHTH]

A batholith is a large mass of rock that has solidified deep underground. It is formed when molten rock from even deeper down injects itself into existing solid formations, pushing them apart and often raising the surface layers, miles above.

The first part of the word, batho- comes from the Greek bathus (depth), and the second part, -lith, comes from the Greek lithos (stone).

Additional deep words:

Bathymetry: measurement of the depth of large bodies of water
Bathophobia: an abnormal fear of the depths
Bathysphere: a tethered, spherical chamber in which humans can explore the ocean down to 900 meters or so (3000 feet)
Bathyscaphe: an advanced deep-ocean exploration vehicle which is free-floating and maneuverable

Additional stony words:

Lithophyte: a plant that lives on rock
Lithiasis: pathological formation of mineral deposits in the body
Paleolithic: the earliest part of the prehistoric Stone Age
Mesolithic: the middle Stone Age
Neolithic: the most recent part of the Stone Age

Courtesy of the Learning Kingdom

Comments

[patrickd.livejournal.com]

You need to check out Enchanted Rock, near my home town of Fredericksburg. It's one of the larget batholith rocks in the world (at least I think it's batholith). It's a very cool park and a great place to climb and camp out.

[mielikki.livejournal.com]

Yeah, yeah! I used to live in Kerrville and we'd visit occasionally. Last time I took hubby and went in the late afternoon, clambered to the top, and watched the sunset. There was a Full Moon that night, and we hung around to listen for 'ghosts' (the whole thing is pink granite- when it cools off and starts to contract, sometimes you hear these eerie moans and squeaks), then made love. Ah, what a wonderful trip!

Re:

[patrickd.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm jealous now... that's really cool. I've had great experiences there but nothing as such. BTW I'm probably gonna go there in a week or two with a few friends from UT.

Re:

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I have some friends who love Enchanted Rock, and I keep hearing how lovely it is. I must go sometime soon. One of my professors is out there at least once a month climbing around.