noun
sepiolite; meerschaum
A clay mineral used for carving pipes and ornaments; also called meerschaum. Technical term in geology.
海泡石はパイプの材料として知られている。
Sepiolite is known as a material for pipes.
Compound of 海 (sea), 泡 (foam/bubbles), and 石 (stone), referring to the mineral's light, porous, foam-like appearance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.