ignimbrite

English

Etymology

By surface analysis, igni- (fire) +‎ Latin imbris (shower; stormcloud) +‎ -ite.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɪɡnɪmbɹʌɪt/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

ignimbrite (countable and uncountable, plural ignimbrites)

  1. (geology) A deposit left by a pyroclastic flow from a volcano, consisting of ash, pumice lapilli, and lithic fragments. [from 20th c.]
    • 2004, Richard Fortey, The Earth, Folio Society, published 2011, page 13:
      The walls of the houses and shops and temples were often constructed of alternating courses of large blocks of ignimbrite and small, sienna-coloured Roman bricks.

Derived terms