ignimbrite

[ ig-nim-brahyt ]

noun

, Petrology.

1. a fine-grained volcanic rock consisting mainly of welded shards of feldspar and quartz.

ignimbrite

/ ˈɪɡnɪmˌbraɪt /

noun

1. a rock formed by the deposition at high temperature and the consolidation of a nuée ardente or other type of ash flow, being a complicated mixture of volcanic materials welded together by heat, hot gases, and pressure Also calledwelded tuft See tuft

ignimbrite

/ ĭg′nĭm-brīt′ /

1. A volcanic rock formed by the consolidation of volcanic ash and other material ejected by an explosive volcanic eruption.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignimbrite¹

1932; < Latin ign ( is ) fire + imbr-, stem of imber rain, shower + -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ignimbrite¹

C20: from Latin ign ( is ) fire + imbr ( is ), imber shower of rain + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

So far, the team has found four previously unrecognized ignimbrite units at Sour Creek, suggesting at least four eruptive pulses.

From Scientific American

They thought they were looking at an ignimbrite, a volcanic flow deposit.

From BBC

Groundmass crystallisation and cooling rates of lava-like ignimbrites: the Grey’s Landing ignimbrite, southern Idaho, USA.

From Nature