little circular holes in which water collects in a rock

English translation: pits, pitting, solution pit, kamenitza

18:56 Mar 28, 2008
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Science - Geology
English term or phrase: little circular holes in which water collects in a rock
http://bp3.blogger.com/_10MzK8UGQaE/R5fY-NjmaXI/AAAAAAAAIUI/...

See this photo of a rock with little circular holes in which water collects. What are these holes called? Not grooves please, becuase I have that word as a translation for another item:-)
Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 06:19
Selected answer:pits, pitting, solution pit, kamenitza
Explanation:
"...small-scale solution represented by solution pits of several millimetres to a centimetre in diameter and up to several millimetres deep. Some of these pits show rounded, smooth edges, whereas others have irregular and sharp edges
These solution pits are termed "kamenitzas" and in modern environments generally range from millimetres to several decimetres or even metres in diameter, and from millimetres to tens of centimetres in depth.
Their formation is attributed to water collecting in tiny, previously existing hollows (due to slight irregularities of the surface), and enlargement of these hollows by solution."
They are round to oval with flat bottoms and commonly have steep sides: the edges may be sharp because of solution by free-flowing water (Sweeting, 1973). They are known
from all climatic regions.
The size of these features depends on a number of factors such as vegetation cover, slope of the surface, climate, different chemical reactions, lithology and texture of the rock, and the availability of water.
http://strata.geol.sc.edu/PDF-Files/IchnoGlossofungites/SilD...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2008-03-28 22:50:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You may see rock covered with small circular holes. This is called "pitting" and is caused by mild acid in the water dissolving the rock.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/natcul/natcul1_E.asp
Selected response from:

juvera
Local time: 05:19
Grading comment
This seems to fit my context best, ta to all:-)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +1potholes
David Russi
3 +2depressions
Marie-Hélène Hayles
4 +1pits, pitting, solution pit, kamenitza
juvera
5rock clefts
Cristy Mercader
5Cupules
LachlanHunter
5 -1Rock pools
Gary D
3rock pores
Michael Barnett
3rockholes
Cynthia Plac (X)
2drip holes
Rachel Fell


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
rock pores


Explanation:
Geyser Life in Rock Pores
based on National Science Foundation report
http://www.astrobio.net/news/modules.php?op=modload&name=New...

Michael Barnett
Local time: 01:19
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

47 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
rockholes


Explanation:
pls see the reference provided.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 53 mins (2008-03-28 19:50:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

another glossary reference:
http://home.mira.net/~gnb/caving/glossary/R.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 56 mins (2008-03-28 19:53:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In this glossary it is hyphenated: rock-hole
http://mc2.vicnet.net.au/home/glossar/web/glossary.html

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-03-28 20:03:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Rock-holes, another unusual feature of the Bynguano Ranges, were created by swirling torrents of water gouging out circular holes like wells into the rock surfaces."

taken from:
http://www.teachingheritage.nsw.edu.au/d_reshaping/wd1_ssenv...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-03-28 21:18:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

An ecological reference to rock holes:
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/publications/p02317aa.pdf/Rock_hol...


    Reference: http://wasg.iinet.net.au/glossary.html
Cynthia Plac (X)
Local time: 06:19
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  David Russi: Looks like in Australia they may call them rock-holes, certainly potholes in US. Well. it looks like all your references are from AU domains.
1 hr
  -> : ), yes certainly. Fascinating on any side of the planet!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
depressions


Explanation:
I certainly wouldn't call them potholes - that brings to mind huge deep holes that people go exploring in (broken road surfaces obviously being out of context here). I'd suggest depressions. But I'm not a geologist, hence the CR 3.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-03-28 21:29:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

From wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pothole:
Pothole (northern Britain) is also a term for a deep cave[1]; from this sense, the derivation potholing is a synonym for caving and a potholer is a caver.

from answers.com: http://www.answers.com/pothole&r=67:
2. A *deep* (my emphasis) round hole worn in rock by loose stones whirling in strong rapids or waterfalls.



Marie-Hélène Hayles
Local time: 06:19
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  David Russi: Actually, pothole is the technical term, visit any National Park in Western US and you will hear the term.
1 hr
  -> I can't comment on the US, but in the UK people go down potholes - it's almost synonymous with "cave". So the right term depends on Lia's target audience. See also my added links

agree  kmtext: I'd say this was the best option, certainly for a UK audience, but I'm not a geologist either.
17 hrs

agree  Vicky Nash
2 days 14 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
potholes


Explanation:
potholes

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2008-03-28 19:03:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

One example:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.dcnr.state...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-03-28 21:17:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Definitions of pothole on the Web:

* A bowl-shaped depression in a rock surface that has been carved by the whirling action of stones in a stream bed.
www.nps.gov/iceagefloods/app-b.htm

* A bowl-shaped depression carved into the floor of a stream by a long-lived whirlpool carrying sand or gravel.
www2.wwnorton.com/college/geo/earth2/glossary/p.htm

* A smooth-sided deep hole in bedrock formed by the abrasion of pebbles and boulders caught in eddies in streams.
www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/bedrock/katahdin/glossa...

* A hole generally deeper than wide, worn into the solid rock at falls and strong rapids by sand, gravel, and stones being spun around by the force of the current. In desert country a pothole often collects water during rains and can contain a variety of small freshwater creatures. ...
www.frankstehno.com/sagemesa/guide/terms/pterms.htm

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-03-28 21:31:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

About pothole ecology:
http://www.nps.gov/blca/naturescience/potholes.htm

David Russi
United States
Local time: 23:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack Dunwell
11 mins

neutral  Edith Kelly: brings up memories of pretty bad roads
2 hrs
  -> Don't words have more than one meaning anymore? Sorry about your bad roads, in this context potholes are actually fascinating ecosystems.

neutral  Marie-Hélène Hayles: Your last two links both emphasise the deepness of the hole, whereas Lia's link clearly shows a shallow pit. Not that I want to make this personal ;) As I said in my response to you, the best answer clearly depends on the target audience.
2 hrs
  -> NBot personal: http://www.nps.gov/blca/naturescience/potholes.htm

agree  Pham Huu Phuoc: Vietnamese call it as "ổ gà"
1 day 9 hrs

disagree  Gary D: Pot hole is mainly to do with roads, and when you do Potholeing as a sport it is going in cmall holes in the ground that are filled with water. not a good description for it here.
31 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -1
Rock pools


Explanation:
They are called small rock pools. They are caused by the cooling of lava rock and an air bubble comes to the surface and it bursts to form the rock pool.

We have millions of them all around the coast of Australia in river beds and on mountains. "Rock pools"
A rock pool can be as small as a coin to as big as a car.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2008-03-28 22:10:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry We do refer to them as rock pools in every day language, but I just looked up the official term they are "Rock Dimples"
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/4/4b/250...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2008-03-28 22:13:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.cjasper.com/image.jsp?imageId=572&galleryId=5&pos...

Also look at this one

Gary D
Local time: 15:19
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  LachlanHunter: Burst air bubble is a novel idea .. but not appropriate to the photo shown I'm afraid.
30 days
  -> Sorry to dissagree, but I just walked a lava field, and all the rocks have these small bubbles from where they burst when cooling.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
pits, pitting, solution pit, kamenitza


Explanation:
"...small-scale solution represented by solution pits of several millimetres to a centimetre in diameter and up to several millimetres deep. Some of these pits show rounded, smooth edges, whereas others have irregular and sharp edges
These solution pits are termed "kamenitzas" and in modern environments generally range from millimetres to several decimetres or even metres in diameter, and from millimetres to tens of centimetres in depth.
Their formation is attributed to water collecting in tiny, previously existing hollows (due to slight irregularities of the surface), and enlargement of these hollows by solution."
They are round to oval with flat bottoms and commonly have steep sides: the edges may be sharp because of solution by free-flowing water (Sweeting, 1973). They are known
from all climatic regions.
The size of these features depends on a number of factors such as vegetation cover, slope of the surface, climate, different chemical reactions, lithology and texture of the rock, and the availability of water.
http://strata.geol.sc.edu/PDF-Files/IchnoGlossofungites/SilD...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2008-03-28 22:50:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You may see rock covered with small circular holes. This is called "pitting" and is caused by mild acid in the water dissolving the rock.
www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/bruce/natcul/natcul1_E.asp

juvera
Local time: 05:19
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
This seems to fit my context best, ta to all:-)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Reza Mohammadnia
4 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
drip holes


Explanation:
not sure that there isn't a more technical term

A partial bat skeleton (long bones and skull) has been found in a gypsum block near the trail, Bottomless Pit, Big Room, 4-5 cm down from the top of the gypsum. The bones look as if they fell into a drip hole or depression in the gypsum and then were covered over with a powdery mixture of gypsum and limestone.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/geology/publ...

Chris Beekman walked up to the cave entrance and stopped dead. "Look! Flat-edged pick marks! They go right up the walls to the top. This is a man-made tunnel!" Trying to hold our own, we pointed at the ceiling. "Check that out. It's a hole that only goes partway up and stops. It must have been a drip hole that dried up, proof that erosion..." but Beekman cut us off. "Wait a minute. Take a look at one of your completed holes. If it was 'naturally eroded' what are all those hand and foot holds doing there?"

http://www.saudicaves.com/saudi/qanat.html



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-03-28 20:05:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Inside Jewel Cave - Drip Hole
http://picasaweb.google.com/UtherPup/2007SouthDakotaTripDay2...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2008-03-29 11:34:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------


driphole. 1. Hole in rock or clay produced
by fast-dripping water. 2. Hollow space
surrounded by precipitated material, such
as the bottom of a stalactite[10

http://www.karstwaters.org/files/glossary.pdf

Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:19
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 3
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
rock clefts


Explanation:
Sunken parts on rocks where water collects

Cristy Mercader
Local time: 23:19
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

30 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Cupules


Language variant: English

Explanation:
The small ones are in English most often called "cupules".

Kamenitza are bigger things , and on limestone. Those shown are on sandstone.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 30 days (2008-04-28 12:23:21 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

See: "CUPULES" by Robert G. Bednarik in Rock Art Research, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 61-100 .. for a big review of these things. They occur worldwide by the millions. Both man-made and natural small cup marks can look very similar.




--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 31 days (2008-04-29 00:01:27 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

I'd love to get a photo of bubble bursts on lava for my photo collection of rock surfaces: but in this case the rock we are commenting on is not lava. It looks like sandstone to me.

LachlanHunter
Australia
Local time: 15:19
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search