mudflow

American  

[muhd-floh] / ˈmʌdˌfloʊ /

noun

Geology.

1. a flow of mixed earth debris containing a large amount of water.

2. the dried-out product of such a flow.

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mudflow British  

/ ˈmʌdˌfləʊ /

noun

1. geology a flow of soil or fine-grained sediment mixed with water down a steep unstable slope

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mudflow Scientific  

/ mŭd′flō′ /

1. A downhill movement of soft, wet, unconsolidated earth and debris, made fluid by rain or melted snow and often building up great speed.

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Etymology

Origin of mudflow

First recorded in 1900–05; mud + flow

Example Sentences

On neighbouring Negros Island, where at least 30 people were killed, Kalmaegi's driving rain loosened volcanic mudflow that buried homes in Canlaon City, police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar told AFP on Wednesday.

From Barron's

The word is a portmanteau of mudflow and landslide, and is commonly used to describe debris flows or mudflows.

From Los Angeles Times

There are various types of landslides, including a mudflow, in which water rushes down with only mud, and is generally less than 15 feet deep.

From Los Angeles Times

The company’s power lines ignited the Thomas fire in 2017, a Ventura and Santa Barbara County fire that killed two and created the conditions that led to a mudflow in Montecito that killed 21 people.

From Los Angeles Times

Devastation from the eruption covered 150 square miles with volcanic mudflow, blocks of shattered rock and volcanic debris and sediment in river channels.

From Seattle Times