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Lateritic Karst – karst-like or pseudokarst features found in deep weathered sediments (laterites or
duricrusts such as ferricrete or silcrete) where solution weathering and piping produce cavities in the
rock, often forming caves, sinkholes (see pans), and wetland pans.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)- a topographic survey techniques that uses laser scanning
from aircraft or ground equipment to survey in detail the shape and elevation of the land surface.
Lithification- the process or processes by which unconsolidated materials are converted into
coherent solid rock, as by compaction or cementation.
LWD (Large Woody Debris)- the wood of dead trees truck, roots and branches of riparian vegetation
that are transported by flood waters, deposited locally in wood jams, help stabilize channel banks and
beds, and regulate water flow into anabranch channels.
Macrophyte- an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or
floating.
Manganese- hard, brittle, grayish white metal element.
Magnesium- a light, ductile, silver-white, metallic element that burns with a dazzling white light, used
in lightweight alloys, flares, fireworks, in the manufacture of flashbulbs, optical mirrors, and precision
equipment.
Mesoproterozoic- geologic age that occurred between 1600 Ma and 1000 Ma (million years ago),
which was the first period of Earth's history with a respectable geological record.
Mesozoic- geologic age that occurred between 250 Ma and 65 Ma (million years ago), which is often
referred to as the age of dinosaurs.
Metamorphic- rock altered considerably from their original structure and mineralogy by pressure and
heat.
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)- a scientific instrument on a specific
space satellite that captures spectral data and images in 36 bands and different wavelengths every 1
to 2 days across the Earth.
Mound Spring- see spring. A spring that has built up a mound of sediment or mineral material
Mud Spring- see spring. A spring that produces very muddy water or a mud slurry, and which may
build up a mound.
OSL (Optical Stimulated Luminescence)- a sediment dating method for measuring doses from
ionizing radiation, by measuring accumulated electrons trapped over time in rocks such as quartz and
feldspar.
Oxbow- a horseshoe- or bow-shaped length of stream channel. Oxbow lakes (aka billabongs) are
typically created by an abandoned meander loop or oxbow of a channel on a floodplain.
Paleo-channel- an old or ancient channel on a floodplain, often abandended by channel avulsion and
partially or fully infilled by floodplain sedimentation.
Palustrine- Relating to a system of inland, non-tidal wetlands characterized by the presence of trees,
shrubs, and emergent vegetation (vegetation that is rooted below water but grows above the surface).
Palustrine wetlands range from permanently saturated or flooded land (as in marshes, swamps, and
lake shores) to land that is wet only seasonally (as in vernal pools).
Pan- a shallow, seasonally flooded, swampy closed depression found on a sandy interfluve.
Pisoliths- pea-sized nodules or concretions of indurated calcium carbonate (calcrete), iron oxides
(ferricrete), or other materials.
pH- measure of how acid or alkaline a substance is by the amount of hydrogen ions, from a scale of
1(highly alkaline) to 7 (highly acidic).
Pleistocene- geologic age forming the earlier half of the Quaternary Period, beginning about 2 million
years ago and ending 10,000 years ago, characterized by widespread glacial ice and the advent of
modern humans.
Pliocene- geological age from 10 to 2 million years ago, characterized by increased size and numbers
of mammals, by the growth of mountains, and by global climatic cooling.
Working Knowledge at Oriners Station, Cape York
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