gilgai

gilgai
   A microfeature pattern of soils composed of a succession of microbasins and microknolls on level areas, or of microtroughs and microridges parallel to the slope on sloping areas, and produced by expansion / contraction and shear / thrust processes with changes in soil moisture. Found in soils containing large amounts of smectite clay minerals that swell and shrink considerably with wetting and drying. Various types of gilgai can be recognized based on the dominant shape of microhighs and microlows: circular gilgai, elliptical gilgai, and linear gilgai. Also referred to, in part or in total, as crabhole, Bay of Biscay, or hushabye in older literature.
   SW & GSST

Glossary of landform and geologic terms. 2013.

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  • gilgai — is an Australian word which describes a terrain of low relief on a plain of heavy clay soil, characterised by the presence of hollows, rims, and mounds, as formed by alternating periods of expansion during wet weather and contraction (with deep… …   Australian idioms

  • Gilgai — This article is about the landform. For the town, see Gilgai, New South Wales. Gilgai is an Australian English word referring to a small, ephemeral lake formed from a depression in the soil surface. Gilgais are commonly a few metres across and… …   Wikipedia

  • Gilgai — Original name in latin Gilgai Name in other language Gilgai State code AU Continent/City Australia/Sydney longitude 29.8527 latitude 151.11806 altitude 741 Population 1096 Date 2012 02 28 …   Cities with a population over 1000 database

  • gilgai — noun /ˈɡɪlɡʌɪ/ a small concavity or depression between ridges, where rainwater gathers , 1988: Though it wasnt a heavy storm it was enough to put water in gilgai holes and scatter the horses. Tom Cole, Hell West and Crooked (Angus Robertson 1995… …   Wiktionary

  • Gilgai, New South Wales — Gilgai is a village, with a population of 289 (2006) and 1095 in the Gilgai (State Suburb), [Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC16099 | name = Gilgai (State Suburb) | quick = on | accessdate=2008 05 12] on the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales …   Wikipedia

  • gilgai — /gil guy/, n. Australian. 1. a small gully or ditch. 2. a small pond or pool of water. Also, gilgie. [1895 1900; < Kamilaroi gilgay] * * * …   Universalium

  • gilgai — [ gɪlgʌɪ] noun Austral. a hollow where rainwater collects; a waterhole. Origin from Wiradhuri and Kamilaroi gilgaay …   English new terms dictionary

  • gilgai — gil·gai …   English syllables

  • gilgai — /ˈgɪlgaɪ/ (say gilguy) noun 1. a natural soil formation occurring extensively in inland Australia, characterised by a markedly undulating surface sometimes with mounds and depressions; probably caused by swelling and cracking of clays during… …  

  • gilgai — n. Austral. a saucer like natural reservoir for rainwater. Etymology: Aboriginal …   Useful english dictionary

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