pyroclastic

[ pahy-ruh-klas-tik ]

adjective

, Geology.

1. composed chiefly of fragments of volcanic origin, as agglomerate, tuff, and certain other rocks; volcaniclastic.

pyroclastic

/ ˌpaɪrəʊˈklæstɪk /

adjective

1. (of rocks) formed from the solid fragments ejected during a volcanic eruption

pyroclastic

/ pī′rō-klăs′tĭk /

1. Composed chiefly of rock fragments of explosive origin, especially those associated with explosive volcanic eruptions. Volcanic ash, obsidian, and pumice are examples of pyroclastic materials.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyroclastic¹

First recorded in 1885–90; pyro- + clastic

Example Sentences

Known as pyroclastic flows, they may be even more dangerous than scientists had suspected.

From Science News For Students

Pulses of high pressure form within these slides, known as pyroclastic flows, as a result of turbulence, laboratory and field measurements show.

From Science News

Perhaps the scariest consequence of an eruption is a combination of all of the above in a phenomenon known as pyroclastic flow, a fast-moving mix of lava, rock, ash, and toxic gas.

From Vox

Since then, dozens of more explosions have followed, generating devastating pyroclastic flows.

From Washington Post

When volcanoes erupt, gases blast from the earth in fast-moving pyroclastic flows destroying everything in their path.

From Popular-Science

Much pyroclastic rock and some lava flows are intercalated amongst the Welsh Cambrian sediments.

From Project Gutenberg

Fast-moving deadly pyroclastic flows (“nuées ardentes”) are also commonly associated with plinian eruptions.

From Project Gutenberg