rock dust

American  

noun

1. a crushed limestone sprayed on surfaces in mines to make coal dust incombustible in case of a gas explosion.

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Etymology

Origin of rock dust

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Urban Homestead makes compost enriched with poultry poop to feed its soil, but if you don’t have access to good compost, use potting soil, he said, and add rock dust, worm castings and minerals.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2024

In a freshly excavated disposal tunnel, Mustonen explains over the roar of ventilator fans that the peculiar smell comes from rock dust mixed with a trace of explosives.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 23, 2022

Later, they learn about attempts to capture carbon dioxide in rock dust, an approach called enhanced weathering.

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2021

The air swirls with rock dust, which I can taste on my tongue and feel on my eyes.

From The New Yorker • May 23, 2019

At my question about them, Dad said they were “dusting”: spreading rock dust around to hold down the explosive mixture of coal dust and air.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam