Cataclasis
/ˌkætəˈklæsɪs/noun
The crushing and fragmentation of rocks during faulting or other intense geological deformation.
Did you know?The term comes from Ancient Greek kataklasis, literally describing a breaking-down or shattering, and its root is related to ancient words for splitting and striking.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kelh₂-
“To strike, cut, or break apart”
Ancient Greek
Greek
klaō (κλάω)
“To break, shatter, or crush”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kataklaō (κατακλάω)
“To break down or shatter completely”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kataklasis (κατάκλασις)
“A breaking down, fracture, or shattering”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
cataclasis
“A geological process involving the crushing and fragmentation of rock”
Modern English
English
cataclasis
“Rock deformation caused by crushing and fracturing, especially along faults”