pyroclastics
Eruption-thrown rock fragments
Pyroclastics are rock fragments ejected by volcanic eruptions—from fine ash to massive boulders.
The term covers material of any size that's been explosively thrown rather than flowing as lava: The eruption buried the town in pyroclastics.
Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter, among the deadliest volcanic phenomena.
Explosive munitions dropped
- blocksObstructs or sections
- scoriaPorous volcanic ejecta
- spatterScatter in droplets
- juvenileYoung person or animal
lithic · cinders · ballistics · fallout · airfall
Glassy igneous rock
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- andesiteIntermediate volcanic rock
- rhyolitePale volcanic igneous rock
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
crystal · vesicular · amorphous · microcrystalline · xenolith
Solidified volcanic ash
- agglomerateCollected into dense mass
- brecciaCemented angular rock fragments
- laharVolcanic debris flow
- stratificationDivision into distinct levels
bombs
Explosive munitions dropped
juvenile · lithic · cinders · ballistics · fallout · airfall
obsidian
Glassy igneous rock
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- andesiteIntermediate volcanic rock
- rhyolitePale volcanic igneous rock
silica · crystal · vesicular · amorphous · microcrystalline · xenolith
tuff
Solidified volcanic ash
- agglomerateCollected into dense mass
- brecciaCemented angular rock fragments
- laharVolcanic debris flow
explosive
Prone to sudden detonation
magma · fragmentation · degassing · volatiles · ejection · fallout · ashfall · Vesuvius · Pompeii · Krakatoa
pyroclasticslava
Erupted liquid stone
lava flow · molten rock · magma · lava lake
- pyroclastic flowHot volcanic gas-debris mixture