Dolostone
A carbonate sedimentary rock dominated by the mineral dolomite, often formed by replacement of precursor limestone.
Language and route: English technical compound dolomite + stone, introduced to disambiguate rock from mineral. English technical compound dolomite + stone, introduced to disambiguate rock from mineral
Literal gloss: rock composed mainly of dolomite
The name and its history
Shrock (1948) commonly cited in later literature; first use not verified · Twentieth-century distinction, attribution unverified
- What does the word literally mean?
- Immediate source or formation: English technical compound dolomite + stone, introduced to disambiguate rock from mineral. Literal gloss ‘rock composed mainly of dolomite’. This linguistic evidence is distinct from claims about the namer’s intentions.
- What did the original author mean?
- Twentieth-century petrographers increasingly separated mineral names from rock names; Schrock (1948) is a frequently cited association with dolostone.
- Why was the name needed?
- The key problem was telling readers whether a description concerned crystals, bulk sedimentary rock or a diagenetic process.
- What evidence supported the original concept?
- Mineral proportions, relict textures, replacement fronts and geochemical data; the 1948 association remains a secondary attribution pending original page check.
- How has geology changed the concept?
- Both dolomite and dolostone remain in use as rock names; there is no universal requirement to abandon the older name.
Further historical context
Twentieth-century petrographers increasingly separated mineral names from rock names; Schrock (1948) is a frequently cited association with dolostone.
The key problem was telling readers whether a description concerned crystals, bulk sedimentary rock or a diagenetic process.
Mineral proportions, relict textures, replacement fronts and geochemical data; the 1948 association remains a secondary attribution pending original page check.
Both dolomite and dolostone remain in use as rock names; there is no universal requirement to abandon the older name.
Editorial qualification
Priority and exact original naming language not independently authenticated; distinguish documented later use from first coinage.
Related names
Sources
- BGS RCS, dolostone and carbonate search results — modern carbonate versus dolostone compositional distinctions
- SLB Energy Glossary, dolostone — applied distinction between rock dolostone and mineral dolomite
- Shields 2005, cap dolostones and classification nomenclature — example of later usage that cites Schrock 1948; not primary introduction checked
- Théodore de Saussure, Analyse de la dolomie (1792), Observations sur la Physique 40:161–173 — original publication identified bibliographically; relevant pages not directly transcribed