mudflow

American  

[muhd-floh] / ˈmʌdˌfloʊ /

noun

Geology.

1. a flow of mixed earth debris containing a large amount of water.

2. the dried-out product of such a flow.

---

mudflow British  

/ ˈmʌdˌfləʊ /

noun

1. geology a flow of soil or fine-grained sediment mixed with water down a steep unstable slope

---

mudflow Scientific  

/ mŭd′flō′ /

1. A downhill movement of soft, wet, unconsolidated earth and debris, made fluid by rain or melted snow and often building up great speed.

---

Etymology

Origin of mudflow

First recorded in 1900–05; mud + flow

Example Sentences

On neighbouring Negros Island, where at least 30 people were killed, Kalmaegi's driving rain loosened volcanic mudflow that buried homes in Canlaon City, police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar told AFP on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

There are various types of landslides, including a mudflow, in which water rushes down with only mud, and is generally less than 15 feet deep.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2025

In the end, about 500 people showed up to the inaugural Plateau Pride, named after the land surrounding the area formed thousands of years ago by volcanic mudflow from Mount Rainier.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 9, 2023

She had been a wardrobe stylist, but retired after the 2018 mudflow, when she lost her house and suffered a punctured lung, shattered bones and a brain injury.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2023

She was just happy to be safe from the mudflow.

From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown