catagenesis

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noun

The cracking process in which organic kerogens are broken down into hydrocarbons.

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Meanings

nouncatagenesis (uncountable)
  1. uncountablegeographyThe cracking process in which organic kerogens are broken down into hydrocarbons.
  2. uncountablebiologyRetrogressive evolution, as contrasted with anagenesis.

Origin

From cata- + -genesis.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

catagenesis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catagenesis

MLA

“catagenesis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catagenesis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “catagenesis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/catagenesis.

Source: catagenesis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.