volcanic glass

noun

: natural glass produced by the cooling of molten lava too rapidly to permit crystallization

Examples of volcanic glass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Pele's hair -- strands of volcanic glass produced by lava fountaining activity -- can be carried more than 10 miles from the volcano's vent. ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025 Volatile content of lunar volcanic glasses and the presence of water in the Moon's interior. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025 The observatory warned that the plume may include hazards, including strands of volcanic glass known as Pele's hair and rock fragments called tephra. Kerry Breen june 20, CBS News, 20 June 2025 While obsidian from multiple locations was present, volcanic glass collected from Sierra de Pachuca was prized above all others. Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for volcanic glass

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of volcanic glass was in 1780

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Cite this Entry

“Volcanic glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volcanic%20glass. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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