C horizon


noun

the layer in a soil profile below the B horizon and immediately above the bedrock, consisting chiefly of weathered, partially decomposed rock.

Origin of C horizon

First recorded in 1930–35

British Dictionary definitions for c horizon

C horizon

noun

the layer of a soil profile immediately below the B horizon and above the bedrock, composed of weathered rock little affected by soil-forming processes

Scientific definitions for c horizon

C horizon

In ABC soil, the lowermost zone, consisting mainly of unconsolidated, weathered rock fragments. By comparison with the A and B horizons, the C horizon is relatively unaffected by the processes of soil formation and therefore does not exhibit as much internal layering.