November 11, 2012
Geology Word of the Week: B is for Botryoidal
Posted by Evelyn Mervine

A bunch of grapes which I purchased earlier today at the Woolworth's grocery store across the street.
def. Botryoidal:
Shaped like a bunch of grapes.
The word botryoidal comes from the Greek word “botrus”, which literally means a cluster or bunch of grapes. In geology the word botryoidal is often used to describe a rock texture or mineral habit (appearance).
Here are a few pictures of some botyroidal rocks and minerals:
***Thanks to Patrick Donohue for suggesting this week’s word and to Patrick and Lockwood DeWitt for providing pictures.***
Nice bite-sized chunks of geology here. I like that.
nice, cute