1. Caliche is the name given to naturally occurring crude sodium nitrate found in Chile. Caliche contains from 20 to 50 per cent sodium nitrate and also traces of sodium iodate. 2. Conglomerate of gravel, rock, soil, or alluvium cemented with sodium salts in Chilean and Peruvian nitrate deposits; contains sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium iodate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium borate. 3. A thin layer of clayey soil capping auriferous veins (Peruvian usage). 4. Whitish clay in the selvage of veins (Chilean usage). 5. A recently discovered mineral vein. A secondary accumulation of opaque, reddish brown to buff or white calcareous material occurring in layers on or near the surface of stony soils in arid and semiarid regions of the southwestern United States; called hardpan, calcareous duricrust, and kanker in different geographic regions. Also known as calcareous crust; croute calcaire; nari; sabach; tepetate.
No related terms.