volcanism

American  

[vol-kuh-niz-uhm] / ˈvɒl kəˌnɪz əm /

noun

Geology.

1. the phenomena connected with volcanoes and volcanic activity.

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volcanism British  

/ ˈvɒlkəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. those processes collectively that result in the formation of volcanoes and their products

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Etymology

Origin of volcanism

First recorded in 1865–70; volcan(o) + -ism

Example Sentences

Notably, this happened without the presence of a deep mantle plume, challenging long-held assumptions about the source of such volcanism.

From Science Daily • Nov. 12, 2025

“Erebus helps us understand what other volcanism in the region could look like.”

From Science Magazine • Dec. 2, 2024

“Iceland is essentially one of the best places in the world to study this … because we have both volcanism and glaciers,” volcanologist Michelle Parks of the Icelandic Meteorological Office told Reuters.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2024

To better understand its volcanism, scientists hoped to catch a Venusian eruption in the act.

From New York Times • May 27, 2024

The focus of annihilation was the new crater midway between the sea and the peak of Mount Pelee where now exists a new area of active volcanism, with hundreds of fumaroles or miniature volcanoes.

From Complete Story of the San Francisco Horror by Linthicum, Richard