Regolithrich

Regolithrich is a neologism in planetary geology used to describe regolith that is unusually rich in fine-grained material and glassy agglutinates. It is not an established mineral term; rather, it appears in speculative discussions and models as a way to characterize regolith with distinctive mechanical and chemical behavior compared to average regolith.

Typical features include a high proportion of silt- to clay-sized particles, elevated surface area, and glass-rich particles. Mineralogy may show localized enrichment of minerals such as ilmenite or other glassy phases. The material often exhibits increased cohesion and altered porosity due to grain cementation, which can influence deformation and flow under loading.

Formation and occurrence: Regolithrich is hypothesized to form under intense space weathering and micrometeoroid bombardment, which produce glass fragments and cemented fines. In some environments, transient hydration or dehydration cycles may contribute to cohesion. Because the term is not widely standardized, concrete examples are mostly found in theoretical studies or fictional settings rather than in standard lunar or planetary datasets.

Applications and challenges: If present, regolithrich would affect excavation, dust management, and in-situ resource utilization. High fines content can increase dust adhesion and handling difficulty, while cementation might improve shear strength but complicate excavation. Recognizing its potential occurrence helps inform lander design, processing strategies, and rover mobility in regolith operations.

See also: regolith, space weathering, in-situ resource utilization, agglutinate.