spherule

views updated May 08 2018

spherule A small spherical particle. Glass spherules resulting from impact-induced melting or volcanic fire-fountaining are common in the lunar regolith. A typical diameter is 100 μm. Nickel-iron spherules, usually less than 30 μm in diameter, derived from the impacting meteorite, are common in impact glasses.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

spherule

views updated May 23 2018

spher·ule / ˈsfi(ə)r(y)oōl; ˈsfer-/ • n. a small sphere.DERIVATIVES: spher·u·lar / -yoŏlər/ adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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spherule

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