eruption

Sudden violent discharge

An eruption is a sudden, violent release—typically of lava and ash from a volcano, but also of emotion, conflict, or physical symptoms.

Crowds erupt in anger, violence erupts in a region, rashes erupt on skin.

The word emphasizes the abruptness and force of the outbreak: The eruption sent ash clouds miles into the atmosphere.

An eruption of applause followed the finale.

volcanic

lava

Erupted liquid stone

magmaMolten rock underground
ashCombustion's powdery remains
craterImpact or volcanic basin

caldera · pyroclastic · vent · pumice · basalt · tephra · lahar · stratovolcano · fumarole · Krakatoa

emotional

outburst

Sudden emotional release

rageIntense, violent anger
tantrumUncontrolled display of frustration
meltdownCatastrophic loss of control

fury · anger · explosion · blowup · flare-up · tirade · frenzy · hysteria · wrath · ire

forceful

explosion

Violent burst of energy

burstBreak apart suddenly
gushFlow out forcefully
surgeSudden powerful increase

spurt · jet · blast · discharge · fountain · spout · release · emission · expulsion · outpouring

dermatological

rash

Heedless or skin irritation

hivesRaised itchy skin reaction
acneInflamed skin condition
pustulePus-filled skin lesion

blister · lesion · boil · breakout · flare-up · inflammation · papule · vesicle · carbuncle · impetigo

Categories

earth scienceatmosphere, earthquake, geology, volcano, crust
volcanic activityactive, lava, dormant, magma, extinct
volcanoesvolcano, Mount Fuji, caldera, lava, crater
natural disastersearthquake, tornado, hurricane, tsunami, volcano
Volcanismmagma, lava flow, magma chamber, volcanism, volcanic vent
Mount St. Helenscrater, volcanic crater, lava dome, pyroclastic flow, ash cloud

Opposites

directionality of movement

eruptionimplosion

Violent collapse inward

absorption · engulfment · ingestion · swallowing · inhalation

intensity and force

eruptiontrickle

Thin, slow stream

seep · seepage · drip · ooze · dribble

state of activity

eruptiondormancy

Suspended biological activity

quiescence · stillness · inactivity · calmness · calm

Phrases

volcanic eruptionExplosive geological discharge
volcano eruptionMagma expelled from peak
Plinian eruptionExplosive volcanic event with sustained column
skin eruptionsAbnormal surface lesions
tooth eruptionTeeth emerging through gums
solar eruptionExplosive sun event

Family

erupting, eruptions, eruptive

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G