ignimbrite

English

Etymology

From Latin ignis (“fire”) + imbris (“shower; stormcloud”) +‎ -ite.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɪɡnɪmbɹʌɪt/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

ignimbrite (plural ignimbrites)

1. (geology) A deposit left by the 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

• ignimbritic