volcanic

[vol-kan-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to a volcano.

   a volcanic eruption.

2. discharged from or produced by volcanoes.

   volcanic mud.

3. characterized by the presence of volcanoes.

   a volcanic area.

4. suggestive of or resembling a volcano; potentially explosive; volatile.

   a volcanic temper.

volcanic

/ ˌvɒlkəˈnɪsɪtɪ, vɒlˈkænɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, produced by, or characterized by the presence of volcanoes

   a volcanic region

2. suggestive of or resembling an erupting volcano

   a volcanic era

3. another word for extrusive

Other Word Forms

• volcanically adverb
• volcanicity noun
• nonvolcanic adjective
• semivolcanic adjective
• semivolcanically adverb
• unvolcanic adjective
• unvolcanically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of volcanic¹

1765–75; volcan(o) + -ic; compare French volcanique

Example Sentences

Something comparable happens in a volcanic conduit: magma near the walls travels more slowly than magma in the center.

Read more on Science Daily

Recent volcanic activity in south-west Iceland has demonstrated that.

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Interactions between the mantle and core may have influenced how Earth released heat, how volcanic activity developed and even how the atmosphere changed over time.

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Earth scientists have uncovered a slow and surprising process beneath our planet's surface that helps fuel volcanic activity in the oceans.

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Dense forests and volcanic peaks define the landscape.

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Related Words

• demonstrative 
• fidgety 
• fiery 
• high-strung 
• hysterical 
• impulsive 
• restless 
• skittish 
• temperamental