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