English

Pyroclastic flow flowing down Mayon Volcano.

Noun

pyroclastic flow ‎(plural pyroclastic flows)

1. (volcanology) A dense flow of volcanic ash, dust, rocks and debris that cascades at high speed down the slope of a volcano during an eruption.
   • 2004, China Miéville, Iron Council, 2005 trade paperback, p. 465:

     In burning slabs like pyroclastic flow the top of the tower slewed off, militia pods falling out and tumbling.

   • 2011, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society 2011, p. x:

     Most of the material was erupted in the most dangerous way as ‘pyroclastic flows’: incredibly hot volcanic fragments all buoyed up with gas that can travel fasted than a speeding car in pulse after pulse.

Translations

See also

• clast
• pyroclastic surge