varve
/vɑːrv/
noun
- A pair of thin layers of sediment deposited in a lake or other body of water over the course of one year, used by scientists to study past climates.
- Each varve contains a light summer layer and a dark winter layer.
- By counting varves, researchers can determine the age of sediment layers very precisely.
- Geologists examined a varve from an ancient lake bed to learn about the climate thousands of years ago.