pyroclastic flow

From pyroclastic + flow.

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• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpaɪ.ɹəʊ.klæ.stɪk fləʊ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpaɪ.ɹoʊ.klæ.stɪk floʊ/, /ˈpaɪ.ɹə.klæ.stɪk floʊ/

pyroclastic flow (countable and uncountable, 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, trade paperback, published 2005, page 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, page 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.

• clast
• pyroclastic surge