caliche
/kəˈliːtʃi/
noun
- A hard layer of clay, sand, or gravel cemented together by calcium carbonate, found in dry soils.
- The builders had to break through a thick layer of caliche to dig the foundation.
- Farmers in the area often struggle with caliche just below the surface.
- Caliche makes it difficult for plant roots to penetrate the soil in desert regions.
Synonyms