<p>In short, saprolite does make up the regolith. Saprolite is a term for in place, weathered rock. Regolith encompasses all the heterogeneous components of loose material covering the solid rock of the earth or other planetary bodies.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-06T19:41:28.873Z
2017-08-06T19:41:28.873Z
mooser
<blockquote>
  <p>Residual soils or saprolite are soils that are derived in place from
  the weathering of the underlying bedrock.> </p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://docsbay.net/characterization-of-piedmont-residual-soil-and-saprolite-in-maryland" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Characterization of Piedmont Residual Soil and Saprolite in Maryland</a> by <em>Missouri University of Science and Technology</em> </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The loose, fragmental material on the Moon’s surface is called
  regolith.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T09:17:29.710Z
Your answer implies regolith is restricted to the Moon. [Regolith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regolith) occurs on Earth, the Moon, Mars, some asteroids & other terrestrial planets.
Fred
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-04T06:37:41.320Z
2019-06-04T06:37:41.320Z
pat harkin
<p>Saprolite include regolith plus humus ie soil particles in combination with 
dead plant and animal matter whereas regolith is just course material from weathered rock parent material.</p>

<p>Saprolite is common in humid climatic regions whilst regolith is common in arid ans semi arid climatic conditions.</p>

<p>Saprolite is polyminerallic and  regolith is monominerallic.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-21T09:36:20.390Z
2019-03-21T09:36:20.390Z
Nisha
<p>Saprolite and Regolith both imply loose material, is one a subset of the other how can I differentiate them ?</p>

<sedimentology><soil>
What is the difference between Saprolite and Regolith?
Andres Romero
# What is the difference between Saprolite and Regolith?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-06)

Saprolite and Regolith both imply loose material, is one a subset of the other how can I differentiate them ?

**Tags:** sedimentology, soil


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-08-06. Score: 2

In short, saprolite does make up the regolith. Saprolite is a term for in place, weathered rock. Regolith encompasses all the heterogeneous components of loose material covering the solid rock of the earth or other planetary bodies.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2019-06-04. Score: 0

> Residual soils or saprolite are soils that are derived in place from
> the weathering of the underlying bedrock.>

[Characterization of Piedmont Residual Soil and Saprolite in Maryland](https://docsbay.net/characterization-of-piedmont-residual-soil-and-saprolite-in-maryland) by *Missouri University of Science and Technology*

> The loose, fragmental material on the Moon’s surface is called
> regolith.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Your answer implies regolith is restricted to the Moon. [Regolith](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regolith) occurs on Earth, the Moon, Mars, some asteroids & other terrestrial planets.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2019-03-21. Score: 0

Saprolite include regolith plus humus ie soil particles in combination with
dead plant and animal matter whereas regolith is just course material from weathered rock parent material.

Saprolite is common in humid climatic regions whilst regolith is common in arid ans semi arid climatic conditions.

Saprolite is polyminerallic and regolith is monominerallic.


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