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 The geochemical fingerprint of the cliff’s volcanic glass has been found all around the West, as well as in Canada. Jim Robbins, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2023 Remember that volcanic ash is pulverized pieces of volcanic glass and(or) rock, so getting that in your lungs is never good. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2023 The clays are being made by the breakdown of volcanic glass and minerals in the caldera, but then they get enriched in lithium due to hydrothermal alteration -- the process where heated fluids can add or remove elements. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023 Thousands watch Hawaii's erupting Kilauea volcano With the volcano erupting, the primary concerns are volcanic gas and delicate strands of volcanic glass – called Pele’s hair – that can float downwind, according to the agency. Melissa Alonso, CNN, 11 Sep. 2023 Plus, a combination of volcanic gas, fine ash and Pele’s Hair – which are strands of volcanic glass – could be carried downwind, the geological survey said. Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 2 Dec. 2022 Volcanic ash is made of volcanic glass, crystals and rock fragments. Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2023 Lava is made of crystals, volcanic glass and bubbles (also known as volcanic gases), according to Oregon State University. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 12 June 2023 Officials at the time warned residents about laze, a nasty mashup of lava and haze that sends hydrochloric acid and volcanic glass particles into the air. Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volcanic glass.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near volcanic glass

Cite this Entry

“Volcanic glass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volcanic%20glass. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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