Ferricrete is a hard, erosion-resistant layer of material at the land surface that consists of near surface sediments cemented by iron oxide

Iron oxide

Iron oxides are chemical compounds composed of iron and oxygen. All together, there are sixteen known iron oxides and oxyhydroxides.Iron oxides and oxide-hydroxides are widespread in nature, play an important role in many geological and biological processes, and are widely utilized by humans, e.g.,...

 in to a duricrust

Duricrust

Duricrust is a hard layer on or near the surface of soil. Duricrusts can range in thickness from a few millimeters or centimeters to several meters....

. Ferricretes contains sediments and other non-indigenous materials, which have been transported from outside the immediate area in which it occurs. The iron oxide cements are derived from the oxidation of percolating solutions of iron salts. The word is derived from the combination of ferruginous and concrete.

Ferricrete is used widely in South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

 to create roads in rural areas.