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Pyroclastic Rock Classification Guide

This document provides classification systems for pyroclastic rocks and deposits established by the International Union of Geological Sciences (I.U.G.S.). It includes two tables that classify pyroclasts and pyroclastic deposits based on grain size, as well as mixed pyroclastic-epiclastic rocks. Pyroclastic rocks and deposits are divided into categories like bombs, blocks, lapilli, coarse and fine ash based on whether they are mainly unconsolidated or consolidated, and what size fractions they contain. Terms for mixed rocks incorporate prefixes to denote their pyroclastic and epiclastic components.

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335 views1 page

Pyroclastic Rock Classification Guide

This document provides classification systems for pyroclastic rocks and deposits established by the International Union of Geological Sciences (I.U.G.S.). It includes two tables that classify pyroclasts and pyroclastic deposits based on grain size, as well as mixed pyroclastic-epiclastic rocks. Pyroclastic rocks and deposits are divided into categories like bombs, blocks, lapilli, coarse and fine ash based on whether they are mainly unconsolidated or consolidated, and what size fractions they contain. Terms for mixed rocks incorporate prefixes to denote their pyroclastic and epiclastic components.

Uploaded by

Sergio QC
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MINERAL AND ROCK INFORMATION

1
2.3.4. CLASSIFICATION OF PYROCLASTIC ROCKS - I.U.G.S. SYSTEM

TABLE 1
Granulometric classification of pyroclasts and of unimodal, well-sorted
pyroclastic deposits.

Clast size Pyroclast Pyroclastic deposit


(mm)
Mainly Mainly
unconsolidated: consolidated:
tephra pyroclastic rock
Bomb, block Agglomerate, bed Agglomerate,
of blocks or bomb, pyroclastic breccia
64 mm block tephra
Lapillus Layer, bed of lapilli Lapilli tuff
2 mm or lapilli tephra
l/16 mm Coarse ash grain Coarse ash Coarse (ash) tuff
Fig 1- Subdivision of tuffs and ashes Fine ash grain Fine ash (dust) Fine (ash) tuff
according to their composition. (dust grain) (dust tuff)

TABLE 2
Terms for mixed pyroclastic-epiclastic rocks.
Pyroclastic* Tuffites Epiclastic Av. clast size
(mixed pyroclastic-epiclastic) (volcanic and/or nonvolcanic) (mm)

Agglomerate, agglutinate Tuffaceous conglomerate,


pyroclastic breccia tuffaceous breccia Conglomerate, breccia 64

Lapilli tuff coarse Tuffaceous sandstone Sandstone 2

(Ash) tuff fine Tuffaceous siltstone Siltstone l/16

Tuffaceous mudstone, shale Mudstone, shale l/256


100 75 25 0% by volume

Pyroclasts
Volcanic + nonvolcanic epiclasts ( + minor amounts of biogenic,
chemical sedimentary and authigenic constituents)
* Terms according to Table 1.

1. From Schmid, R, 1981. Descriptive nomenclature and


classification of pyroclastic deposits and fragments:
recommendations of the I.U.G.S. Subcommission on the
Systematics of Igneous Rocks, Geology, 9, January 1981,
4 l-43, by permission.

44 Field Geologists’ Manual

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