Skiktad

Skiktad is a Swedish adjective meaning layered or stratified. It describes something that is composed of, or arranged into, distinct layers or strata. The base noun is skikt (layer), and related terms include skiktning or stratification, which denote the process or result of forming layers. The word is typically used in technical and descriptive contexts and can function in various grammatic forms, for example flerskiktad (multilayered).

In geology and soil science, skiktad describes rocks and soils that show bedding, horizons, or other clear layering. Sedimentary rocks often have a visible stratification with bedding planes that separate older layers from younger ones. Soils develop horizons that create a vertical skiktning from surface to depth, reflecting processes such as deposition, weathering, and organic activity.

In meteorology and limnology, skiktad refers to atmospheric or aquatic layers formed by differences in density, temperature, or salinity. A stratified atmosphere resists vertical mixing when temperature or moisture gradients are stable. In lakes and oceans, stratification occurs when warmer, lighter water sits above cooler, denser water, creating distinct horizontal layers that limit exchange between depths.

In the social sciences, skiktning describes social stratification—the division of a population into hierarchical layers based on factors like income, education, and occupation. While the term is understood, Swedish discourse often uses expressions such as social stratification or klassindelning to convey the concept more precisely.

Common compound forms include skiktad jord, skiktad sedimentation, skiktad atmosfär, and flerskiktad, highlighting the recurring idea of layered structure across disciplines.